California Voters Open to Third Party, Colin Powell Ahead as Favorite Independent Candidate

Strategic Insights -

California voters are showing a growing interest in a third national political party, with nearly 6 in 10 supporting the idea of a party that would run candidates for president, Congress, and state offices. This dissatisfaction stems from the performance of Democrats and Republicans, leading to a desire for an alternative. Among potential independent candidates, Colin Powell stands out as the most popular, with a favorable-unfavorable rating of 70-12 percent. Powell, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has a strong image among the public, making him a potential contender for the growing bloc of potential independent voters.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly 6 in 10 California voters support the idea of a third national political party that would run candidates for president, Congress, and state offices.
  • Colin Powell, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the most popular potential independent candidate with a favorable-unfavorable rating of 70-12 percent.
  • A majority of California voters (63 percent) can be classified as potential third-party voters, primarily consisting of Democrats and Republicans with no strong attachment to their parties.
  • The group of potential third-party voters cuts across all regional, gender, racial, income, and educational lines, making it a genuine cross-section of California voters.
  • History has been unfavorable to independent and third-party candidates, citing difficulties with ballot access, fundraising, and voter return to the two major parties.

Statistics:

  • 59% of California voters support the idea of a third national political party (Field Poll).
  • 63% of California voters can be classified as potential third-party voters (Field Poll).
  • Colin Powell's favorable-unfavorable rating is 70-12 percent (Field Poll).
  • 43-49 is Ross Perot's favorable-unfavorable rating (Field Poll).
  • 37-55 and 28-14 are the favorable-unfavorable ratings for Jesse Jackson and Bill Bradley, respectively (Field Poll).
  • 24-54 and 15-10 are the favorable-unfavorable ratings for Patrick Buchanan and Lowell Weicker, respectively (Field Poll).

Sources:

  • Field Poll