The primary for the U.S. Senate in Arizona Green Party is becoming a fierce competition, but party leaders believe it is a facade. Both candidates listed on the ballot are under suspicion of being plants for Democrats and Republicans in a race that could determine control of the Senate.
The Green Party, known for its progressive views on the environment and anti-war stance, has about 3,000 members in Arizona, a swing state. The candidates in question, Mike Norton and Arturo Hernandez, recently joined the party and petitioned their way onto the ballot for the party’s primary on July 30.
Party leaders suspect Mr. Norton to be a straw candidate for Democrats, aiming to assist Representative Ruben Gallego, the probable Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat. They also view Mr. Hernandez as a proxy for Republicans and their leading Senate candidate, Kari Lake, who is a supporter of former President Donald J. Trump.
Concerns have been raised that Mr. Norton might withdraw from the race if he wins the primary, potentially reducing the chances of a minor-party candidate drawing votes from Mr. Gallego. On the other hand, party leaders believe Mr. Hernandez would continue in the race if he wins the nomination, potentially aiding Ms. Lake.
The Green Party has endorsed Eduardo Heredia-Quintana, urging members to write his name on their primary ballots. Party leaders have expressed their skepticism about the authenticity of the candidates and their allegiance to the party.
Efforts to reach Mr. Norton and Mr. Hernandez have been unsuccessful. Neither Arizona’s Democratic Party nor its Republican Party responded to requests for comments. The campaigns for Mr. Gallego and Ms. Lake also did not provide any comments.
The jockeying over the Green Party’s ballot line reflects the scrutiny of third parties in the 2024 election. Republicans have tried to support minor-party candidates to attract disaffected progressives and antiwar voters away from the Democratic Party, while Democrats have attempted to hinder their access to the ballot.
Green Party leaders have noted that Mr. Norton received significant funds from super PACs aligned with the Democratic Party. Mr. Hernandez faced scrutiny when a Republican lawyer represented him in a court case challenging his eligibility as a candidate.
Mr. Hannah, the Green Party’s co-chair, stated that party members were unfamiliar with Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Norton, raising suspicions about their motives. While only Green Party members can vote in the primary, independent voters can sign petitions for candidates seeking access to the party’s ballot line.
“These are people who essentially have no connection to our party deciding who’s on our primary ballot,” Mr. Hannah said.
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