No Labels abandons 2024 presidential effort

The bipartisan group No Labels won’t put forward a third-party presidential ticket after failing to find a candidate.

“Today, No Labels is ending our effort to put forth a Unity ticket in the 2024 presidential election,” the group said in a release on Thursday.

“No Labels has always said we would only offer our ballot line to a ticket if we could identify candidates with a credible path to winning the White House. No such candidates emerged, so the responsible course of action is for us to stand down."

The Wall Street Journal first broke the news of No Labels' plans on Thursday.

One of this cycle’s biggest questions was whether No Labels would move forward with a third-party ticket as a contrast to President Biden and former President Trump’s unpopularity with voters. 

Leaders floated former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as possible candidates before running through a list that grew narrower as more names fell off. 

Last month, the group blew past its own deadline to give an update about its strategy, extending it to mid-April. And last week, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joined a lengthy list of would-be recruits who preemptively turned down the position.

Democrats were keeping close tabs on No Labels as they devote more resources and targeted focus to third-party candidacies they deem as “spoilers.” But as weeks and months passed with no candidate, some recalibrated to concentrate on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His choice of an ultra-wealthy running mate in Nicole Shanahan does not quell concerns of his potential longevity in the race.

But even with Kenney’s presence in the race, No Labels’ canceled plans further solidifies the contest as a showdown between Biden and Trump. 

“If the reports are true, millions of Americans are relieved that No Labels finally decided to do the right thing to keep Donald Trump out of the White House,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of the progressive group MoveOn.

“Now, it’s time for Robert Kennedy Junior to see the writing on the wall that no third-party has a path forward to winning the presidency. We must come together to defeat the biggest threat to our democracy and country: Donald Trump.”