Biden-aligned group hires top Dem operative to help stifle third-party challengers

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Democrats' top opposition research group is setting its sights on suppressing third-party presidential challenges they fear could hamper President Biden's re-election effort.

The group, American Bridge, recently hired Mark Elias, a veteran Democratic operative and lawyer, in part to prevent such a challenger from succeeding, Reuters reported. The move comes as the group No Labels is pushing an independent candidacy for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

So far, American Bridge's efforts have taken the form of legal challenges over technical issues in the immense network of red tape required to run for office nationally.

"We're keeping an eye out to make sure they're dotting all their i's and crossing their t's, and we are not ruling out legal action with our attorneys if we identify a problem – and that applies for all third-party threats to President Biden," American Bridge President Pat Denis told Reuters.

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Top Democrats widely fear that a third-party candidate would harm Biden far more than former President Trump, who is currently dominating the Republican primary race.

Jim Messina, a former top aide to former President Obama, argued last month that a "third-party candidate can't win in 2024" and would likely guarantee a Trump victory.

"With a rematch between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump