by Mary Lou Masters
Centrist organization No Labels is struggling to find candidates to head its third-party “Unity Ticket” in November after deciding in early March to move forward with such a bid, NBC News reported Tuesday.
The group’s 800 delegates voted to advance a presidential run on March 8 after months of consideration, and detailed its nominating process on Thursday. However, various prominent Republicans and Democrats continue to rule out running with No Labels ahead of its April convention in Dallas, Texas, according to NBC News.
Republicans that have declined to run on the third-party ticket include former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, according to the outlet.
Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has also ruled out a bid, as well as former Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who caucuses with Democrats, according to NBC News.
Businessman Mark Cuban and former Navy Adm. William McRaven aren’t interested in running, and No Labels has reached out to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and actor Dwayne Johnson, the outlet reported.
However, the group plans on moving forward with its “Unity Ticket” regardless of the number of prominent individuals who have since turned down running, according to the outlet.
“This is Nancy’s decision, and her decision alone. If she wants a ticket, we’re getting a ticket,” a source familiar with No Labels’ internal workings told NBC News of founder and CEO Nancy Jacobson.
A No Labels committee will recommend candidates to their delegates for a nomination vote after receiving insight from its members and interviewing potential contenders, according to the group’s National Convention Chair Mike Rawlings. To be considered, candidates must agree to the group’s “six core beliefs,” and endorse “key elements” of the Common Sense Policy Booklet.
The centrist group has secured ballot access in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota and Utah, and is actively vying for it in 14 other states.
No Labels’ ticket and several other third-party contenders have received backlash from Democrats who believe their candidacies would spoil President Joe Biden’s chances at being reelected.
Critics argue that third-party contenders — including No Labels, independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., “Justice for All Party” candidate Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein — would siphon off more votes from Biden, enabling former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The Democratic National Committee is forming a team to combat these candidacies through an aggressive communication strategy, opposition research and legal challenges.
No Labels did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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Mary Lou Masters is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “No Labels Advocates” by No Labels
