Last month, former Maryland governor and moderate Republican opponent of Donald Trump Larry Hogan resigned as chairman of the third-party movement No Labels, which might signal his plans to run for president on the group's ballot line.
In his letter to No Labels President and CEO Nancy Jacobson announcing his resignation as co-chair, Hogan did not discuss his future but did not criticize the group on its aims or leadership. He declined to comment and cited the Dec. 15 letter received by The Associated Press on Thursday.
No Labels is seeking nationwide ballot access as it prepares for a presidential run. Many Democrats and Trump detractors worry the plans would steal votes from Democratic President Joe Biden and help Trump win again.
In stepping aside, it is my intent that new leaders, who can devote themselves full-time to the effort, will be able to direct the No Labels political operation,” Hogan wrote.
On Wednesday, a Maryland elections official announced No Labels had enough validated signatures to appear on the ballot in Hogan's home state. Thirteen states have allowed No Labels on the 2024 ballot.
This spring, No Labels leaders will decide whether to propose a presidential ticket and who to nominate. However, that procedure is unclear, and the organization has routinely missed its plan announcement deadlines. It canceled its April Dallas conference for a virtual one.
Hogan, a leading GOP opponent of Trump, declined to run. On Thursday, Hogan's staff sent The Associated Press the letter after former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie withdrew from the Republican presidential campaign. Christie, the most ardent Trump opponent, failed in a GOP still loyal to the outgoing president.
On Thursday, No Labels co-chair and former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman called Christie “the kind of candidate No Labels is looking for.” Christie dismissed No Labels before ending his candidacy. “I’d like to reach out to him and see if he, Gov. Christie, is at all interested in being on a bipartisan No Labels Unity ticket this year,” Lieberman told SiriusXM. “He could be a strong candidate.
Christie's staff didn't respond immediately. No Labels quoted Lieberman as calling Hogan a “great partner”. “Whatever he does next, I know he will continue to be a powerful voice for common sense and national unity,” Lieberman added.
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has contemplated running with No Labels. A centrist Democrat who is not running for reelection, Manchin will speak Friday in New Hampshire before the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary in January.