As the 2020 election season heats up, all eyes are on the presidential race. But while the battle between Donald Trump and Joe Biden dominates the headlines, there are also important campaigns in Hennepin County, Minnesota that deserve attention.
The Two-Party System
In the United States, the two major political parties - Democrats and Republicans - have long dominated the political landscape. This two-party system has been in place since the mid-19th century and has remained largely unchallenged. However, in recent years, there has been a growing dissatisfaction with the two-party system. Many voters feel that their voices are not being heard and that their choices are limited to candidates from these two parties. This frustration has led to a rise in third-party candidates, who offer an alternative to the traditional two-party system.The Role of Third-Party Candidates
Third-party candidates play an important role in our democracy.They offer voters a wider range of choices and bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. In Hennepin County, Minnesota, third-party candidates have been gaining traction in recent years. In fact, in the 2018 midterm elections, third-party candidates received over 10% of the vote in several local races. This increase in support for third-party candidates is a sign that voters are looking for something different from the usual options.
The Notable Third-Party Candidates in Hennepin County
One of the most notable third-party candidates running a campaign in Hennepin County is Chris Wright, who is running for County Commissioner in District 4.Wright is a member of the Green Party and has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues. He has also been a strong supporter of social justice and has been endorsed by several local organizations, including the Minnesota Nurses Association and the Sierra Club North Star Chapter. Another third-party candidate to watch in Hennepin County is Michael Cavlan, who is running for County Commissioner in District 1.Cavlan is a member of the Legal Marijuana Now Party and has been a long-time advocate for drug policy reform. He has also been a vocal supporter of affordable housing and has pledged to address the issue if elected.The Challenges Faced by Third-Party Candidates
While third-party candidates in Hennepin County have been gaining support, they still face many challenges in their campaigns. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of media coverage.The mainstream media tends to focus on the two major parties, leaving little room for third-party candidates to get their message out to voters. In addition, third-party candidates often struggle to raise funds for their campaigns. Without the financial backing of a major party, they must rely on grassroots efforts and small donations from supporters. Finally, third-party candidates also face an uphill battle when it comes to ballot access. In many states, including Minnesota, third-party candidates must collect a certain number of signatures to appear on the ballot. This can be a daunting task for candidates with limited resources.
The Impact of Third-Party Candidates
Despite these challenges, third-party candidates in Hennepin County have already made an impact on local politics. In 2018, Green Party candidate Cam Gordon was re-elected to the Minneapolis City Council, becoming the first Green Party member to win a city-wide election in Minnesota. In addition, third-party candidates have been successful in bringing important issues to the forefront of the political conversation.For example, Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Noah Johnson received over 20% of the vote in the 2018 race for Hennepin County Sheriff, bringing attention to the issue of drug policy reform.
