"why did the populist party support william jennings bryan, a democrat, for president in the presidential election of 1896? "

Bryan ran on a platform that was a combination of populist sentiment as well as concepts that were useful to those who lived in the heartland of the US. He was a big proponent of having more than one metal as the backing for the country's currency, and also was an advocate of legislation that would further the cause of those who farmed for a living.

To be honest i thinks its between the first answer and the third answer