Every year, hundreds of third-party candidates file quixotic bids for Congress and few notice. But they could play an outsized role in 2022: Libertarian Chase Oliver could push another razor-close Georgia Senate race to a December 6 runoff. And with 35 House races in our Toss Up column, a few votes siphoned by minor candidates could make big differences in Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Rhode Island.
The freakiest situation is in Minnesota's 2nd CD, where for the second straight cycle, the Legal Marijuana Now party nominee has died less than six weeks before the election. But as in 2020, the late candidate's name will still appear on the ballot, potentially draining progressive votes from Democratic Rep. Angie Craig and boosting GOP Marine veteran Tyler Kistner two years after Craig eked out a 48%-46% victory.
The most frustrating situation for Republicans is in Maine's 2nd CD, where Republican Bruce Poliquin could plausibly finish ahead of Democratic Rep. Jared Golden initially, but the state's ranked-choice voting law could rescue Golden if neither hit 50% and Independent Tiffany Bond's votes are reallocated
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