Aaron Day threatens spoiler bid for New Hampshire Senate seat
Independent New Hampshire Senate candidate aaron Day is giving Donald Trump an ultimatum: address his demands regarding cryptocurrency, the draft, and firing Howard Lutnick, or Day will run as a third-party spoiler to potentially impact the upcoming Senate race. Having gathered enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, Day plans to challenge the republican candidate, John Sununu, unless the Trump governance makes significant progress on four key issues within ten days.These issues include releasing “crypto prisoners,” stopping the CLARITY act (which Day claims would increase government surveillance), firing Lutnick, and ending the draft. Day’s stance stems from concerns over broken promises by Trump and the administration, especially on issues like cryptocurrency and foreign policy.
He previously threatened a similar campaign earlier this year, citing perceived betrayals of Trump’s campaign promises. If successful, Day’s candidacy could influence the tight Senate race; he previously received nearly 18,000 votes as an independent candidate in 2016 and believes his participation could cost Sununu the election. His broader goal is to use a third-party campaign to hold major parties accountable to their promises. Legal challenges regarding his candidacy are ongoing, but he estimates a high probability of making the ballot if the legal issues are resolved promptly. Sununu, endorsed by Trump, faces competition from Scott Brown for the Republican nomination, while democrat Chris Pappas leads in the Democratic primary.
Independent New Hampshire Senate candidate Aaron Day is giving President Donald Trump an ultimatum: meet demands on cryptocurrency, the draft, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, or Day will move forward with a third-party campaign he predicts will cost Republican John Sununu the Senate race.
Day told the Washington Examiner on Monday that he has collected nearly 5,000 petitions and believes he has more than enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, bringing him closer to following through on a spoiler campaign he first threatened earlier this year.
Recommended Stories
But Day said he is willing to walk away if the Trump administration makes significant progress on four demands over the coming days: “free the crypto prisoners,” stop the CLARITY Act, fire Lutnick, and “end the draft.”
“There’s essentially 10 days for the administration to do what they said they were going to do,” Day said. “If the administration makes major steps towards honoring their own commitments in these areas, then I will take myself off of the process.”
The ultimatum expands on Day’s warning to the Washington Examiner in February that it would take a “miracle” or a dramatic reversal of Trump’s cryptocurrency policies to keep him from mounting an independent campaign. At the time, Day put the chances of running at 99% and accused Trump and congressional Republicans of accelerating what he calls a “war on crypto.”
Day now argues the administration has broken promises beyond cryptocurrency, pointing to Trump’s pledges to avoid new wars and “drain the swamp.” He singled out Lutnick for criticism and argued the CLARITY Act would expand government surveillance rather than protect cryptocurrency users.
“All I’m doing is asking them to do what they said they were going to do,” Day said. “If they don’t honor their commitments, they don’t deserve to be in power.”
Day still faces hurdles before he can appear on the ballot. He sued New Hampshire after the state refused to accept his declaration of candidacy over a residency and voter registration dispute. A federal magistrate judge has recommended ruling in Day’s favor, but the district judge has yet to issue a final decision. The state has objected to the recommendation, and Day has filed a response.
Day estimated there is a 95% chance he will ultimately make the ballot if he chooses to submit his petitions. He said the matter must be resolved by Sept. 2.
His threat carries particular weight because of what happened a decade ago. Day received nearly 18,000 votes as an independent Senate candidate in 2016, when now-Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) lost to Democrat Maggie Hassan by roughly 1,000 votes.
Day believes he could play the same role this November if Sununu wins the Republican nomination.
“If I’m on the ballot, Sununu loses,” Day said. “He might lose anyway.”
Day denied that defeating Sununu is his ultimate objective, instead describing his campaign as an experiment in using third-party candidates to force the major parties to keep their promises.
SUNUNU GAINS MOMENTUM AS BROWN PUSHES OUTSIDER MESSAGE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
“My goal overall is to use strategically the use of a third-party race to hold one of the two parties accountable,” Day said, adding that he could employ the strategy in future elections himself or recruit other candidates to do so.
Sununu, who has Trump’s endorsement, is competing against former Sen. Scott Brown for the Republican nomination, while Rep. Chris Pappas is the Democratic front-runner for the open seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
