Third-party candidates are individuals running for elected office who do not belong to one of the two major political parties - Democrats or Republicans. They offer alternative perspectives outside mainstream party platforms.
Related terms
Independent Candidates: Similar to third-party candidates but not affiliated with any specific political party.
Spoiler Effect: This occurs when a third-party candidate takes enough votes away from one major party's candidate that it influences the outcome of an election.
Platform: A set of principles or policies that define a political party's stance on various issues. Third-party candidates often have their own distinct platforms.