A centrist political group has pledged to create an alternative option for voters in the 2024 election, stoking concerns among left-leaning groups that a “spoiler” candidate could open the door for former President Donald Trump to return to the White House.
No Labels has emerged as a nationwide group actively courting centrists in both parties who could make up a 2024 presidential “unity ticket” that offers an alternative to “divisive” candidates. The group has described these efforts as an “insurance policy” in the 2024 presidential election, vowing to drop its bid if either party manages to provide a candidate whom centrist voters can accept. It is uncertain what is required for a candidate to be deemed "acceptable."
DEMOCRATIC GROUP WARNS ABOUT ‘SPOILER’ THIRD-PARTY TICKET THAT COULD HAND TRUMP THE PRESIDENCY
The group has identified both Trump and President Joe Biden as “unacceptable” nominees, meaning a possible rematch between the two could send their plans into full force. This strategy has prompted pushback from several Democratic groups, which argue a third-party ticket would provide a crucial boost to the GOP.
No Labels has already qualified to appear on the ballot in at least two states, including every state and federal election in purple Arizona, meaning the party could also upend next year's Senate race in the state.
Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far about No Labels and what the group plans to do in the 2024 election cycle.
What is No Labels?
No Labels is a bipartisan political group that supports centrist lawmakers and policies. The group was founded in December 2010 by political activist Nancy Jacobson as a way to promote bipartisan proposals in Congress.
Since its inception, the group helped create the House Problem Solvers Caucus in 2017 and has courted several allies in the Senate. No Labels also has a national network of politicians, with former Gov. Larry Hogan (D-MD) being elected as its co-chairman in 2020.
No Labels characterizes itself as being more representative of the typical voter compared to either political party, pointing to national polling that shows only 16% of people consider themselves either “very conservative” or “very liberal,” according to Gallup. The group’s mission is to further unity between political parties in order to “rebuild our country.”
“We seek to restore America's faith that democracy remains the best means to bring out the good in every one of us, thus ensuring a brighter future for generations to come,” the group writes on its website.
No Labels's plan for 2024
No Labels has been quietly working to craft a bipartisan third-party ticket for over a year, looking to give voters an alternative option to candidates it views as extreme. As of September, the group has already raised more than $46 million and has more than 400 volunteers seeking ballot access in several battleground states, according to the New York Times.
No Labels has not indicated who it would put on its presidential ticket, but the group plans to hold a nominating convention in April. The group has vowed to compete for ballot access in at least 23 states and has already secured a spot on the Colorado and Arizona ballots.
"Unity ticket" could give Kyrsten Sinema boost in Arizona
The No Labels Party surpassed the minimum number of signatures required to appear on the ballot for statewide and federal races in Arizona on Tuesday, making it the second state the centrist party can compete in during the 2024 cycle.
Although No Labels has focused much of its efforts on the presidential election, some are beginning to wonder whether the group will play a role in reelecting Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).
The former Democrat-turned-independent will face an uphill battle if she chooses to seek a second term, as the incumbent would need to join a three-way race in which a Democratic challenger could siphon votes away from her in the increasingly purple state.
Democratic groups call on No Labels to cease efforts
Several Democrats and Never Trump Republicans are calling on No Labels to cease its efforts to create a third-party ticket, warning such a move would open the door for Trump or a MAGA-aligned candidate to be elected.
Third Way, a prominent Democratic-backed think tank, sent a memo to Democratic groups warning of No Labels’s efforts and outlining the ways in which a third-party ticket would tank the Democrats’ chances of keeping the White House in 2024.
“The bottom line: Their candidate cannot win the presidency [and] such a candidate ‘will succeed in electing Trump,’” the group wrote.
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The center-left Third Way pointed to evidence showing third-party candidates typically do poorly in general elections, arguing that No Labels would not have a large enough base of support to win.
“Moreover, No Labels casts Biden and Trump as equally extreme and frames their ticket as an antidote to a rematch. But this is a smokescreen,” it wrote. “They’ll make it far more likely — if not certain — that Donald Trump returns to the White House.”