Trump, Carson have until March to decide whether to run as independents
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
Donald Trump and Ben Carson could dangle the possibility of independent runs for president well into the primary season next year, but they can’t wait forever.
State filing deadlines would give the two Republicans until about March to launch independent or third-party campaigns, experts said. That would give a well-financed campaign enough time to gather sufficient signatures on petitions so the candidate could appear on the ballot in every state.
“Ross Perot in 1992 didn’t start petitioning until March,” said Richard Winger, editor of Ballot Access News. “He was on the ballot in every state.”
Perot got 19 percent of the vote in 1992, and Bill Clinton was elected president with 43 percent.
An independent or third-party run by Trump or Carson would be a nightmare for Republican leaders.
If either or both take that step, the chances of winning the presidency would be a long shot. But one or both could siphon enough votes from the Republican nominee to hand the election to the Democrats.