Statement from Third Way on No Labels Plan to Force a Contingent Election in 2024

WASHINGTON — Third Way Executive VP Matt Bennett issued the following statement:

“No Labels just confirmed our worst fears about their intentions. After repeated false denials, the group’s leaders laid out their detailed plans to force a contingent election in which they would try to cut a deal with the major parties, as NBC News reports. Not only did No Labels discuss their radical idea for a ‘coalition government,’ they confirmed that they have ‘mapped all this out’ if the 2024 election is thrown to a vote of the House of Representatives. They detailed the kinds of things they might ask for in return for their Electoral College votes, including a border wall, a deficit pledge, or, somehow, the vice presidency.

“Third Way was the first to sound the alarm; we warned months ago that this was No Labels’ new plan. Our report outlined their bid to play kingmaker in a contingent election and extract concessions. We made clear that any effort to pursue faithless electors is dangerous and likely to throw the election to a House vote by state delegation, where Republicans are nearly certain to control a majority when the House meets in January 2025. That means this No Labels plan would re-elect Donald Trump in the most chaotic and dangerous way possible.

“This is a deeply anti-democratic idea cooked up by a tiny group of Washington elites. The division and chaos it would spawn could dwarf the hellish rioting of January 6, 2021.

“I would ask No Labels spokespeople and allies like Joe Manchin, Jon Huntsman, Larry Hogan, and Joe Lieberman: Is this what you signed up for? Silence can only be read as an endorsement. This is the moment that sober and serious leaders must stand up and demand No Labels pull the plug on a reckless effort.”