Jill Stein, the Green Party's presidential nominee in 2016, has accused the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of attempting to infiltrate third-party candidates. Stein's allegations stem from a job posting that the DNC posted to LinkedIn, seeking an "Independent & Third Party Project Manager" to monitor the activities of third-party candidates. The job posting was later deleted.
Jill Stein, the Green Party's presidential nominee in 2016, has accused the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of attempting to infiltrate third-party candidates. Stein's allegations stem from a job posting that the DNC posted to LinkedIn, seeking an "Independent & Third Party Project Manager" to monitor the activities of third-party candidates. The job posting was later deleted.
In a tweet, Stein wrote, "Wow. @TheDemocrats posted – then deleted – a job for a "Third Party Project Manager" to infiltrate their competition and find ways to take us off the ballot. Is this how they’re ‘saving democracy’?"
The job posting, which Stein shared a screenshot of on Twitter, listed the responsibilities of the position as "gathering on-the-ground intel to inform our overall landscape assessment of independent and third party candidates." This "on-the-ground" gathering included informing the DNC on "ballot access progress" and "campaign activity, organizational strength, and voter/grassroots enthusiasm" as well as "identifying and activating in-state leaders and supporters for four current and future program priorities."
Prospective managers were also expected to follow campaign events of third-party candidates like Stein, as well as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Cornel West, and "report back on campaign activity."
Stein's allegations come as the DNC is facing criticism from some Democrats for its handling of the 2020 presidential primary. Some Democrats have accused the DNC of favoring former Vice President Joe Biden over other candidates.
The DNC has not yet commented on Stein's allegations.
Stein is a physician and climate change advocate who announced her bid to seek the Green Party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election last November. Stein's 2016 presidential bid was criticized by some Democrats who argued that she siphoned valuable votes away from Hillary Clinton. Stein received 1.07% of the popular vote in 2016 and 0.36% of the popular vote in 2012.
