The Drop Outs

​Two minor party candidates left their respective Senate races in Arizona and Montana to endorse a closer ideological ally who actually has a chance of winning.  But, the move has likely come too late to have any effect upon the eventual outcome.  Because ballots are obviously printed, and so many votes returned through the early voting process, the two candidates’ names will still remain on the ballot.
 
Montana Libertarian nominee Rick Breckenridge ended his campaign earlier in the week and endorsed Republican Matt Rosendale who is opposing Sen. Jon Tester (D).  But, a later report says Breckenridge now says he has reversed course and is not leaving the Senate campaign.  No matter what Breckenridge ultimately decides, he will have little effect over the final outcome of this tight race.
 
In Arizona, Green Party nominee Angela Green also exited stage left and endorsed Democratic nominee Kyrsten Sinema.  While Ms. Green said she did not want to “split the progressive vote,” her late move likely won’t achieve her intended goal since she has already garnered votes in the early voting process and will take further ones on Election Day.  Hence, both the late Arizona and Montana minor party developments will prove to be empty gestures.