Strategist: Third-party candidates could impact election

Third-party candidates could play a significant role in the presidential election.

BY JIM CROSS

Sep 27, 2012, 8:41 AM Updated: 8:41 am

PHOENIX — Third-party candidates could play a significant role in the presidential election, a Valley political expert said.

Conservative strategist Stan Barnes with Copperstate Consulting in Phoenix said third-party presidential candidates could affect the race in battleground states such as Florida, Ohio and Virginia.

“Third-party candidates have no chance of winning. None,” said Barnes.

But he said they could have an impact on races in states where President Barack Obama and GOP contender Mitt Romney are fighting for every vote.

“In states that are expected to be very close, multiple third-party candidates could siphon off some votes that are unsure about the major party candidates and want to make a statement,” he said.

Ross Perot is the poster child for third-party movement. Some experts believe Perot pulled enough votes away from former President George Bush in 1992 to cost him re-election and put Bill Clinton in the White House.

The 2012 race for has several third-party candidates, including Libertarian Gary Johnson.