The merger involves the Renew America Movement, formed in 2021 by dozens of former officials in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Donald Trump; the Forward Party, founded by Yang, who left the Democratic Party in 2021 and became an independent; and the Serve America Movement, a group of Democrats, Republicans and independents whose executive director is former Republican congressman David Jolly.
The article notes that historically, third parties have not done well. It notes that Ralph Nader may have cost Al Gore the election in 2000. I recall there was debate as to whether Ross Perot cost Bush the Elder the 1992 election. I wonder how the Forward Party may act as a spoiler. I think that it probably won’t siphon off too many Republicans because they want Their Guy in and probably vote for any Republican instead of a candidate that might align more closely with their views – especially if that candidate is a former Democrat. I suspect Forward might siphon more votes from the Democratic candidate.