The Third-Party Game: How Both Parties Bankroll Spoilers in Tight Races
As voters head to the polls today, political commentators are obsessing over raw turnout numbers and late swing-state polls. But there is an untold story that could determine control of Capitol Hill on election night: the quiet explosion of third-party and independent candidates funded by outside groups to siphon off crucial votes.
There has already been massive national focus on the dirty tricks in Alaska, where left-wing operatives went so far as to recruit candidate “Dan J. Sullivan” specifically to confuse voters alongside incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan on the ranked-choice ballot.
Make no mistake: there is a major distinction between deliberate voter confusion schemes - like what occured in Alaska - and the traditional political practice of boosting third-party candidates to draw votes from an opponent. The Alaska case was explicitly designed to trick people at the ballot box.
However, brand-new reporting from Axios reveals a much larger national effort. Across the country, pop-up super PACs tied to both major parties have dumped over $16.5 million into boosting third-party spoilers in more than 40 key House and Senate battlegrounds.
In contests decided by one or two percentage points, these dark-money pop-up groups could decide who holds the majority.
Today’s issue breaks down the major third-party money plays, the specific races to watch as results roll in, and why these late-breaking ad buys matter for election night.
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Tonight at 6pm ET - an exclusive Election Day interview with top GOP pollster and strategist Chris Wilson - join us for the premiere
As polls close nationwide, top Republican pollster and data strategist Chris Wilson join the show to analyze early exit polling, turnout metrics, and the decisive battleground districts that will dictate control of Washington.
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Check out the FINAL Battleground 2026 Updates!
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And looking ahead, Wednesday we will break down election results with Henry Olsen.
Stories I’m reading…
Ilhan Omar Investigation Involves New Scrutiny of Long-Disputed Marriage - via the New York Times
SCOOP: Ro Khanna backs challengers to three fellow House Dems - via Axios
‘Biscuit’ the dog is latest dead felon to get their voting rights back from Spanberger, confused owner says - via Fox News
We polled Kansas. Democrats wanted to talk. Republicans, not so much. - via The Washington Post
Loves me, loves me not: Trump and allies target Fox News over coverage - via The Guardian
Majority of noncitizen voters charged by DOJ are lawfully in U.S. - via NBC News
Haley Stevens brekas with fellow Democrats to endorse GOP’s Mike Rogers in shocking move - via MS Now
Mark Carney says US, Canada teams will work on trade deal in ‘coming weeks’ - via Politico
Vance’s campaign blitz puts him at the forefront of the GOP’s midterm push, as insiders praise packed schedule - via Fox News
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