Cornel West, a progressive activist and scholar, announced a bid for the White House, saying he has opted to “run for truth and justice.”
West on Monday tweeted a video announcing his campaign, sharing that he wants to “reintroduce America to the best of itself.”
“In these bleak times, I have decided to run for truth and justice, which takes the form of running for president of the United States as a candidate for the People’s Party,” West said in the video.
“I come from a tradition where I care about you. I care about the quality of your life. I care about whether you have access to a job with a living wage, decent housing, women having control over their bodies, health care for all, the escalating destruction of the planet, the destruction of American democracy,” West added.
Washington:Democratic lawmaker calls out Trump after he was recorded while talking about classified document
2024:Former Vice President Mike Pence files to run for president in 2024
The author criticized both Republicans and Democrats on Monday, saying in the video “neither political party wants to tell the truth” about a slate of institutions, such as tech giants and the Defense Department. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are the frontrunners for the Democratic and Republican nominations in 2024, respectively.
The People’s Party is an “independent party that will guarantee health care, housing, quality education, and peace to all,” according to its website.
West on his campaign website outlined broad list of priorities, ranging from creating “a true democracy” to expanding Social Security, wiping out medical debt and disbanding NATO.
West wasn’t the only 2024 hopeful to announce campaign news on Monday. Former Vice President Mike Pence filed paperwork Monday with the Federal Election Commission to launch his 2024 bid for the White House. The former vice president is expected to publicly launch his campaign with a Wednesday rally in Des Moines, Iowa.
Contributing: Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA TODAY; Associated Press
