Centrist and progressive groups will arrive on Capitol Hill this month to warn senior Democrats about the effect a third-party ticket could have on the 2024 election.
An invitation obtained by Politico shows that officials from MoveOn, a progressive group, and Third Way, a centrist organization, are planning to brief Senate Democrats chiefs of staff on July 27, after early polling showed an independent ticket could help former President Donald Trump secure the White House in 2024.
ARIZONA BRACES FOR MOST UNPREDICTABLE SENATE RACE: ‘AN ABSOLUTE DOGFIGHT’
The groups have been vocal opponents to the third-party bid funded by the No Labels group, a multi-million dollar campaign to secure an independent ticket in all 50 states.
The invite states that the groups "want to share some information that they have on No Labels" with the senators' top aides. The briefing will be given by Matt Bennett, executive vice president for public affairs at Third Way, and Rahna Epting, the executive director of MoveOn.
No Labels has sought to open the door for a third-party candidate in several presidential elections. For the 2024 election specifically, the group hoped to provide alternatives to Trump or President Joe Biden for voters who do not want to see a repeat of 2020.
The group has launched a $70 million campaign to secure an independent ticket in the United States, gaining momentum in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska and drawing criticism from Democrats and their allies.
No Labels said it would halt its efforts if polling shows Biden significantly further ahead of Trump. Also, the group said it would likely exit the race entirely if Trump is not chosen as the GOP nominee.
Ryan Clancy, No Labels chief strategist, previously told the Washington Examiner that many Republican voters who do not see Trump's name on the ballot will not show up to vote. Because of this, it would "close off the potential path for an independent ticket," he said.
Still, Third Way and MoveOn, as well as other Democratic groups and anti-Trump allies, have criticized No Labels' bid for a unity presidential ticket, claiming it could lead to a Trump and GOP victory.
Third Way released research in early June showing that a No Labels ticket will be a "spoiler" and ruin Democrats' chances at keeping the White House.
"No Labels argues this is a unique historical moment that gives their “unity ticket” a real shot at winning the White House," Third Way said in the research. "But that is an illusion. The data and historical evidence are clear: no third-party candidate would come close to winning."
Several polls have shown a third-party ticket narrowing the margin between Biden and Trump compared to when it is just a two-person race. A recent poll from Data for Progress showed a "moderate independent candidate" would deliver Trump a narrow victory.
“Very often, there are differences of opinion or strategy when it comes to the Democratic coalition because it’s very, very broad. But here, there’s unanimity, and everyone agrees that if they go forward this is going to hurt Joe Biden,” Bennett said in an interview with Politico. “We need to make clear to folks that what they are selling is an illusion, not a choice.”
No Labels has dismissed these claims that their efforts will aid a Republican victory. For now, they have ruled out a campaign to elevate a candidate like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), a centrist Democrat and longtime supporter of the group, to a third-party presidential bid.
Manchin himself has not announced whether he is running for reelection or will shoot for higher office but has insisted that the country needs a bipartisan candidate to bring the parties together.
The West Virginia senator's aide told Politico that if his schedule permits, the senator’s chief of staff will attend the July 27 meeting.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
His decision could impact Democrats' chances in 2025: If he runs for the White House and loses, Democrats will forfeit the presidential race and their Senate majority, the latter which hangs on by a single Democratic member.
The Washington Examiner reached out to No Labels, Third Way, and MoveOn for comment.