'Shadowy group' recruiting Trump supporters to run as independents in 'key' districts: report

Democratic strategists and organizers are hoping that if Vice President Kamala Harris defeats GOP rival Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, there will a down-ballot effect with U.S. House and U.S. Senate races as well as gubernatorial races.

For Democrats, having control of both Houses of Congress would make it easier for Harris to carry out her legislative agenda if she wins. Democrats believe they have a good shot at flipping the U.S. House, although Republicans could recapture the U.S. Senate with a net gain of two seats.

According to Associated Press (AP) reporters Ryan J. Foley and Brian Slodysko, one "shadowy group: that could help Democrats win back the House is the Patriots Run Project."

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Far-right Trump devotees who want to punish Republicans for not being MAGA enough typically target them via GOP primaries. But

the Patriots Run Project, Foley and Slodysko report, has "recruited Trump supporters to run as independent candidates in key swing districts where they could siphon votes from Republicans in races that will help determine which party controls the House next year."

"In addition to two races in Iowa," Foley and Slodysko explain, "the group recruited candidates in Nebraska, Montana, Virginia and Minnesota. All six recruits described themselves as retired, disabled — or both."

The AP reporters continue, "The group's operation provides few clues about its management, financing or motivation. But interviews, text messages, e-mails, business filings and other documents reviewed by the AP show that a significant sum has been spent — and some of it traces back to Democratic consulting firms."

Some Democratic operatives, according to Foley and Slodysko, may view Patriots Run Project-backed independent candidates as potential spoilers who could help them flip the U.S. House of Representatives in November.

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"While dirty tricks are as old as American elections," the AP journalists note, "the efforts this year could have profound consequences in the fight to control Congress, which is expected to be decided by a handful of races. It's also not an isolated example: Allies of Trump have been working across the U.S. to get liberal academic Cornel West on the ballot in hopes he could play spoiler in the presidential election."

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) law professor Rick L. Hasen, known for his expertise on U.S. election law, told AP that the Patriots Run Project "looks shady and unethical."

Hasen added, however, "It is hard to say whether any laws have been broken, which would depend not only on the facts, but also, the statutes and precedents under state law."

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Read the Associated Press' full report at this link.