Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, will still appear on the Virginia ballot for the November 2024 election. Despite his efforts to remove his name from ballots in several key states, the Virginia Department of Elections confirmed his candidacy, adding another layer of complexity to an already unpredictable election season.

The decision to keep Kennedy on the ballot comes as independent candidate Cornel West was disqualified from the Virginia ballot due to incomplete paperwork, raising questions about the influence of third-party candidates on the upcoming election, as the Daily Wire reports.

Kennedy announced his suspension and endorsement of Trump last week, a move that surprised many in the political sphere. His campaign had attempted to withdraw his name from ballots in ten battleground states, including Virginia, in what appeared to be a strategy to prevent acting as a "spoiler" candidate in a tight race.

However, Virginia's election officials decided that Kennedy's name would remain on the ballot, a decision that has potential implications for the state's election outcome.

West Disqualified, Other Candidates Pending

While Kennedy's name remains on the ballot, Cornel West, an independent candidate known for his leftist views, failed to meet the necessary requirements to appear on the Virginia ballot.

Election officials cited incomplete paperwork as the reason for his exclusion, emphasizing the importance of adhering to state regulations. West's exclusion is seen as significant, particularly given his prominence as a third-party candidate.

In contrast to West, several other candidates have secured their places on the Virginia ballot. Besides Kennedy and Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver have all been confirmed.

The Virginia Department of Elections is still reviewing forms for three other potential third-party candidates, which could further diversify the options available to Virginia voters in November.

Kennedy's Impact on 2024 Election

Kennedy's continued presence on the Virginia ballot, despite his campaign's efforts to remove his name, adds another dimension to the 2024 election. In 2020, third-party candidates collectively garnered nearly 85,000 votes in Virginia, with Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen alone receiving over 64,000 votes. The presence of multiple third-party candidates, including Kennedy, has the potential to sway the outcome in a state where polls show a closer race than in the previous election cycle.

Kennedy's concerns about acting as a "spoiler" are not unfounded. Virginia polls currently show Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump by only four points, a narrower margin than President Biden's 10-point victory in 2020. Kennedy's decision to suspend his campaign and endorse Trump was, in part, driven by the desire to avoid splitting the vote in a state where every ballot could count.

Democratic Party's Response to Kennedy's Candidacy

The Democratic Party in Virginia, led by state chair Susan Swecker, has downplayed the significance of Kennedy's continued candidacy. Swecker argued that Kennedy and West's candidacies were unlikely to impact the election results in Virginia, stating, "The bottom line is it doesn’t change anything. They’re not serious candidates and we’ve got serious voters in Virginia." This perspective reflects a broader confidence among Democrats that their base will remain loyal, even with additional names on the ballot.

However, political analysts like Mark Rozell have pointed out that Kennedy's name on the ballot could still play a crucial role in close races. Rozell noted, “This is one of those things that flies under the radar for many people, but it is a potentially critical factor in the outcome of the election in some places.” His observation underscores the unpredictable nature of elections, where even seemingly minor factors can have significant consequences.

Kennedy's Criticism of Democratic Party

In his speech announcing the suspension of his campaign, Kennedy did not hold back in his criticism of the Democratic Party. He accused the party of engaging in "legal warfare" against both himself and Donald Trump, framing the actions as an attempt to undermine democratic processes. "In the name of saving democracy," Kennedy remarked, "the Democratic Party set itself to dismantling it, lacking confidence in its candidate, that its candidate could win in a fair election at the voting booth, the DNC waged continual legal warfare against both President Trump and myself."

This statement reflects Kennedy's broader disillusionment with the Democratic Party, a sentiment that has been echoed by some of his supporters. His decision to endorse Trump, while unexpected, aligns with his criticism of what he perceives as the party's overreach in its efforts to secure electoral victory.

Historical Context and Third-Party Influence

The role of third-party candidates in U.S. elections has long been a topic of debate, particularly in closely contested states like Virginia. In 2016, Green Party candidate Jill Stein was accused by some Democrats of siphoning votes away from Hillary Clinton, contributing to Donald Trump's victory. Stein is once again on the Virginia ballot for 2024, and her presence, along with that of other third-party candidates like Chase Oliver, could influence the distribution of votes in the upcoming election.

Virginia's history with third-party candidates suggests that while they may not win significant portions of the vote, their presence can still affect the overall outcome. With Kennedy on the ballot, the possibility of vote-splitting among voters dissatisfied with the major party candidates becomes more likely, adding a layer of unpredictability to the race.

Conclusion: The Unpredictable Road to November

As the November 2024 election approaches, Virginia's ballot is taking shape with a mix of major party and third-party candidates. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s inclusion, despite his campaign suspension, adds an intriguing dynamic to the race, particularly in a state where polls indicate a tighter contest than in previous years. Meanwhile, Cornel West's disqualification due to incomplete paperwork highlights the stringent requirements for ballot access in Virginia.

With Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump by a slim margin, and the potential for third-party candidates to influence the vote, Virginia is set to be a key battleground in the upcoming election. The decisions made by election officials, the actions of candidates, and the sentiments of voters will all play crucial roles in determining the outcome in this critical swing state.