Houston, we have a problem.
That’s the sentiment from those waiting for the launch of the No Labels third party candidate for the office of U.S. President. The group issued a statement today confirming their effort to launch a so-called Unity ticket candidate in 2024 will not proceed further.
“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 No Labels group was committed to giving voters an alternative to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump this coming November. Former Congressman Fred Upton is a member of the No Labels group. He often pointed to polling information showing 70 percent of the electorate did not want a Biden/Trump rematch.
Asked about the group’s decision, Upton said it was a new experience for the group to move beyond bringing people together on legislative issues.
“I really did believe there was a pathway with plenty of obstacles, but (we) had to have a candidate that could make a splash.”
Upton further noted he’s been to many places over recent months and “no one, anywhere” is happy with the current ticket choice. After former Governor Chris Christie turned down a No Labels presidential bid and former Senator Joe Lieberman’s death, the writing seemed to be on the wall that the No Labels presidential effort would not move forward.
“I thought we had a moment in time, but running nationally is a big time, life changing event that most did not want to undertake.”
Upton is hopeful the No Labels group will return to its ongoing work to bring lawmakers on Capitol Hill together on legislative issues such as war funding for Ukraine.
