Independent presidential candidate Cornel West has addressed concerns regarding his campaign's affiliations with signature-collecting firms and ballot access operatives with ties to Republicans. While acknowledging these connections, West firmly denied allegations that he is being used by Republicans to siphon votes away from Vice President Kamala Harris in crucial battleground states.
In a recent interview, West emphasized the importance of collaborating with legal and support staff, even if they have Republican associations, to expand ballot access in states. He defended his decision to work with Republican-aligned firms, stating that it is essential to present the strongest case for his candidacy.
Despite facing criticism from Democrats for his ties to Republican operatives in battleground states, West maintained that his campaign is not being propped up by Republicans to provide a progressive alternative to Democrats. His campaign has been actively engaging with Republican-aligned ballot access firms in various battleground states to secure ballot qualifications.
When questioned about the possibility of suspending his campaign and endorsing Harris, West expressed his commitment to staying in the race until Election Day. He emphasized his dedication to his principles, stating, 'I would never compromise the interests of marginalized communities to align with the Democratic Party. We are staying true to our mission and will continue our campaign until November 5th.'
