General Discussion

and ANYBODY can run for any public office, claiming to be from any party---
and if they can collect enough valid nominating signatures or pay enough money that is required,
there would seem to be nothing that would stand in their way from
getting on the ballot....

Free speech and educating the local voting public
would seem to be the best defense against any such 'false flag candidate'
at this time---
although filing lawsuits against them, even without a good case,
would probably weaken their campaign--
even if such lawsuits were doomed to failure, they would generate negative publicity!

(probably why Republicans file so many doomed lawsuits!)