No Labels group seeks to launch third party, 'demand-driven' presidential candidate

The bipartisan group No Labels is preparing to nominate a third-party candidate for the 2024 presidential election during its Dallas convention in April, but says it will only do so if it sees a path to winning the electoral college. 

According to the Washington Post, the organization is attempting to develop a nomination process that is different from the traditional nomination structure, so that voters feel more ownership in the process that still ensures the candidate selected supports the ideals of the organization. 

The group is considering the use of online voting and allowing those who have contributed to the organization to participate in the nomination process. Another proposal is to identify potential independent voters and invite them to help select its candidate. 

No Labels senior advisor, Ryan Clancy told the outlet, "The whole idea of this is that this has to be a demand-driven phenomenon." He continued, "We want a ticket like this to be selected because there is an overwhelming desire for something different." 

“The endgame of this effort isn’t necessarily a ticket. The endgame is a voice for the common-sense majority,” Clancy clarified. 

A senior official with the organization, who spoke to the Post on conditions of anonymity, said they are also considering a way to vet potential delegates which would be led by Winston & Strawn attorney Dan Webb. The official noted, "This is political innovation, the one last sector that has not had any innovation is politics." 

“I actually do see a live convention, with people tuning in like a Super Bowl,” they added. 

State affiliates of the organization have secured ballot access in 10 states currently, and leadership for the organization is building a way that their operation can be shut down if they feel they don't have a viable way to win the presidency. The group insists that they don't want to be a spoiler in the race. 

Former CEO of Pizza Hut and former Democratic mayor of Dallas, Mike Rawling, who is co-chairing the convention effort, said there would be a "kill switch if we are going to be a spoiler.” He added, “We have got to start dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on how this works.”

“You want to be grassroots. You want people to feel like they are part of a solution," Rawling added. 

According to its website, No Label is a bipartisan organization that is "Welcome to common sense," whose "purpose is to bridge the divide and reestablish the voice of America's commonsense majority. We recognize that most Americans are decent, caring, and patriotic individuals who prioritize the well-being of our nation over partisan interests."

The group's "Insurance Policy 2024" states that it is "working to ensure Americans have the choice to vote for a presidential ticket that features strong, effective, and honest leaders who will commit to working closely with both parties to find commonsense solutions to America’s biggest problems.