Final answer:
The Populist Party, or People's Party, fused with the Democratic Party in some states to support shared reform goals, particularly evident in the presidential election of 1896.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, fused with the Democratic Party in some states. During the 1890s, the Populists sought relief outside of the traditional two-party system and saw an opportunity to push their reform agenda by supporting Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan in the presidential election of 1896. However, Bryan's loss to Republican William McKinley diminished the party's influence, and by aligning with the Democrats, they struggled to maintain a distinct party identity afterwards.