As the 2024 U.S. presidential election heats up, much of the focus remains on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. However, two other candidates—Jill Stein and Cornel West—are also vying for the nation’s highest office, and their platforms address issues that often go unspoken in mainstream debates. Both candidates are bringing attention to deep systemic issues, particularly around climate change, economic justice, and social reform, though their campaigns have not garnered widespread media coverage.
Jill Stein: Green Party Advocate for Radical Climate and Economic Reform
Jill Stein, the Green Party’s nominee for the 2024 election, is no stranger to presidential races. After running in 2012 and 2016, Stein has returned to the national stage with a platform focused on environmental sustainability, economic equity, and social justice.
Key Policies:
Green New Deal: Stein’s cornerstone policy is her “Real Green New Deal,” a plan to transition the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels by 2035. This involves investing in renewable energy and green jobs to combat climate change while simultaneously revitalizing the economy. Stein also plans to declare a climate emergency on her first day in office, signaling her urgency in addressing environmental issues.
Economic Bill of Rights: She advocates for guaranteed living-wage jobs, universal healthcare through Medicare for All, free public education, and affordable housing. Her platform prioritizes economic security for all Americans by addressing wealth inequality through progressive taxation and financial reforms like breaking up monopolies and placing big banks into public ownership.
Social and Racial Justice: Stein is committed to ending systemic discrimination against marginalized groups, including people of color, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and immigrants. Her campaign seeks to dismantle institutional barriers that perpetuate inequality and promote human rights across the board.
Foreign Policy: Stein aims to end U.S. militarism and the country’s involvement in “endless wars.” She advocates for cutting the military budget and focusing on diplomacy and human rights.
While some Democrats view Stein as a spoiler who could siphon votes from Kamala Harris, her platform resonates with those seeking bold climate action and comprehensive social reform.
Cornel West: Champion of Social and Economic Justice
Philosopher and civil rights activist Cornel West is running as an independent candidate, seeking to break away from what he sees as a broken two-party system. West’s campaign focuses on addressing economic inequality, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Key Policies:
Universal Basic Income (UBI): West advocates for UBI to eradicate poverty and homelessness. His platform includes a national $27 minimum wage and a wealth tax to tackle economic inequality.
Medicare for All: Similar to Stein, West supports universal healthcare, positioning it as a fundamental human right that should be available to all.
Environmental Justice: West endorses a Green New Deal, calling for an end to new oil drilling and the nationalization of the fossil fuel industry to transition toward renewable energy. His environmental plan also focuses on protecting vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
Social Justice: West’s campaign emphasizes a wide array of justice initiatives, including Black Maternal Justice, Child Justice, and Racial Justice. His policies aim to reform systems that perpetuate discrimination and inequality in healthcare, education, and criminal justice.
Foreign Policy: Like Stein, West is critical of U.S. military dominance. He calls for the closure of U.S. military bases abroad, significant reductions in defense spending, and ending support for nations involved in human rights violations.
West’s Justice for All Party seeks to unite grassroots movements that push for transformative social change, focusing on ballot access and breaking the grip of corporate interests on the political system.
The Race Beyond the Mainstream
Both Jill Stein and Cornel West are long-shot candidates in an election dominated by the political heavyweights of Trump and Harris. Yet their campaigns highlight the growing dissatisfaction with the two-party system and the demand for deeper reforms. While they may not garner the same media attention or political backing as their major party counterparts, their platforms speak to voters looking for radical changes in how America addresses climate change, inequality, and justice. Whether their presence will meaningfully impact the 2024 race remains to be seen, but they are shaping the conversation in ways that go beyond the standard political fare.
