FOR FIRST TIME, REPUBLICAN CHALLENGES TO MINOR PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE ACCESS ARE MORE NUMEROUS THAN DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES
For ninety years, the Democratic Party has been far more active than the Republican Party in challenging various minor party and independent candidates from ballots. Yet, in 2026, for the first time, the Republican Party has filed more such challenges than the Democratic Party. Republican challenges this year are listed here:
Arizona: both major parties sued the Secretary of State when he let the No Labels Party change its name to the Arizona Independent Party. That case is still pending.
Florida(1): Republicans challenged Peter Jassenoff, the Libertarian nominee for U.S. House, 25th district. That is still pending.
Florida(2): Republicans challenged Addison Patrick, the Libertarian candidate for Jacksonville City Council. That failed.
Iowa(1): Republicans challenged Rick Stewart, Libertarian nominee for U.S. House, 2nd district. That is still pending.
Iowa(2): Republicans challenged Nicholas Gluba and Jules Cutler, the Libertarian nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. That is still pending.
Iowa(3): Republicans challenged Marco Battaglia, the Libertarian nominee for U.S. House, 3rd district. That is still pending.
Kansas: the Republican Secretary of State removed the No Labels Party from the ballot. That is still pending.
New Hampshire: the Republican Secretary of State challenged Aaron Day, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate. It is still pending.
New Jersey: the Republican Party challenged Lana Leguia, the Libertarian nominee for U.S. House, 7th district. That is still pending.