The term “spoiler” is quite loaded when it comes to third party candidates. Last week, the Wall Street Journal profiled an “Independent Green” candidate who received more votes in the Virginia Senate race than the difference between the Democraic and Republican candidates. Now, the Washington Post profiles the Libertarian candidate who received many more votes in the Montana Senate race than the difference between the Democratic and Republican candidates.
Should these candidates be considered “spoilers”? Certainly major party supporters think so, seeing that votes for third party candidates may leave a majority of voters with their third choice for an office, but third party supporters believe that shows a bias toward the two party system.