Dems and anti-Trump GOP join forces against third-party bid.

Democratic Strategists Meet with Former Republicans to Thwart Third-Party Presidential Ticket

A possible third-party presidential ticket could hand former President Donald Trump the White House in 2024, according to top Democratic strategists who recently met with a group of former Republican lawmakers. Hosted by public policy think tank Third Way, the meeting featured a number of Biden advisers as well as former senators and other lawmakers. Attendees included former White House chief of staff Ron Klain, Democratic National Committee senior adviser Cedric L. Richmond, former Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, and others.

The meeting was confidential, but officials met to discuss recent efforts by No Labels, a centrist political group that has vowed to promote a third-party ticket if the 2024 election features a rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden.

Democrats and Anti-Trump Republicans Denounce Third-Party Efforts

Several Democrats as well as anti-Trump Republicans have denounced No Labels’ efforts, arguing that promoting a third-party ticket would cost Biden the White House and pave the way for another Trump term. “No Labels is wasting time, energy, and money on a bizarre effort that confuses and divides voters and has one obvious outcome — reelecting Donald Trump as president,” said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).

Officials Propose Raising Money to Counter No Labels’ Efforts

During the meeting, attendees discussed recent polling that proves a third-party campaign would draw crucial support away from Biden, making it easier for Trump to win. This creates a ticket often referred to as a “spoiler candidate.” Instead, officials have proposed raising money counter to No Labels’ efforts and pressing centrist lawmakers to advise against the plan.

No Labels Denies Spoiling Biden’s Chances of Reelection

No Labels has rejected accusations that it would spoil Biden’s chances of being reelected, claiming it would drop its efforts if Trump is not elected as the GOP nominee. The group pointed to its own internal polling that only shows a potential victory for a third-party candidate if Trump is in the race, vowing to exit the race entirely if there is no path to victory.

Candidates for Third-Party Ticket Not Yet Determined

The group has already launched a $70 million campaign to secure an independent ticket across the United States, securing ballot access in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska. Efforts to get the party on the ballot in Maine have been met with resistance from the Maine secretary of state’s office, which claims voters were misled into changing their party affiliation to No Labels under the guise of it being a petition. Candidates for the third-party ticket have not been determined, and officials say they would not be announced until the group’s nomination convention next April.

“Why would it surprise people that if somebody else comes along and says, ‘What would you think if I gave you another choice? If that was the choices you were faced with?’ Why would it surprise you that lots of people say, ‘Yeah, I’m open to that choice?’ And that’s exactly what’s happening,” said Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.