No Labels, a centrist group, has reportedly made outreach to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as they vet candidates for a potential third-party presidential ticket. Christie, a two-time Republican presidential candidate, recently ended his 2024 GOP nomination campaign but hinted at the possibility of a third-party run in a podcast interview with former Obama adviser David Axelrod.
Christie, who was once a supporter and adviser to Donald Trump, distanced himself from the former president over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. He has been vocal in his criticism of Trump and expressed a desire to prevent a potential second Trump term, stating, 'I will do whatever I can to try to make sure that the country doesn’t go through what I think will be the misery of a second Trump term.'
While Christie acknowledged that there are hurdles to overcome before considering a third-party run, he did not rule out the possibility. This marks a shift from his previous stance, where he dismissed the idea of joining a No Labels ticket as a 'fool’s errand' in a past interview.
Former Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, a No Labels founding co-chair, expressed interest in Christie as a potential candidate for a bipartisan unity ticket. Lieberman highlighted Christie's strengths and suggested that he could be a strong contender for such a role.
No Labels has been exploring the idea of a third-party ticket for over a year, citing public sentiment that is not enthusiastic about a potential 2024 election rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. The group recently formed a committee to vet candidates for the proposed bipartisan ticket, following a positive response from delegates during a virtual meeting.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the potential inclusion of Chris Christie in a third-party presidential ticket could introduce a new dynamic to the upcoming election cycle, offering voters an alternative to the traditional party nominees.
