Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for "Predatory" Tactics

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is pushing back against criticism from the Democratic Party and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who have accused her of being a spoiler in the upcoming election. Stein says Democrats are trying to silence political opposition and deny voters choices.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is defending her ballot access, slamming the Democratic Party and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for criticizing her as a spoiler.

Stein, a physician and climate change advocate, told The Hill last week that the "Democrats have really made a mockery out of themselves. They are not the servants of democracy."

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for "Predatory" Tactics

She added that the "Democrats have lost their own base and their effort to silence competition is outrageous."

Stein said the Democratic Party has hired an "army of lawyers to throw" the Green Party off the ballot by challenging them in three states.

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for "Predatory" Tactics

The Nevada Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Stein will not appear on the presidential ballot due to failing to meet the state's minor party qualifiers.

On the other hand, the Green Party in August claimed victory after the Wisconsin state Supreme Court decided not to hear the Democrats' effort to oust her on the ballot. The court's decision could be a blow for Democrats as Wisconsin is a crucial swing state in the upcoming election.

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for "Predatory" Tactics

Stein’s 2016 presidential bid was criticized by some Democrats who argued 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.

Stein responded directly to Ocasio-Cortez's post on Instagram where she criticized the Green Party.

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for

Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Defends Ballot Access, Slams Democrats for "Predatory" Tactics

Ocasio-Cortez took issue with Stein’s persistence in running, citing that the third party contender does "not add city council seats, state electives, and down ballot candidates."

The progressive firebrand explained further that Stein has not pursued "any successful strategy," nor grown her party and merely shows "up once every four years to speak to people who are justifiably pissed off.""That's bad leadership," the New York lawmaker added.

Stein responded, "The Democrats have not succeeded in their extremely predatory tactics of silencing political opposition, silencing voters, denying voters the choices that they are clamoring for. She just kind of makes a mockery of the anti-democratic party in pretty much her whole message in the way it was delivered."

Stein announced her bid to seek the Green Party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential election last November. It will be Stein’s third time running for president, having been unsuccessful in 2012 and 2016.

Stein added that Democrats are "worried" that American voters are "in a state of rebellion."

"And our campaign is the one anti-genocide, anti-war, climate emergency, pro-worker campaign which is turning out to be on the ballot across the country," Stein said.