Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Advocates for a Third-Party Presidential Campaign Amid Democratic Opposition

Jay Nixon, the former Democratic Governor of Missouri, is supporting No Labels, an organization aiming to establish a moderate third-party ticket for the 2024 presidential race. This move bolsters the struggling initiative, despite increasing unease from the Democratic party that it could inadvertently aid a potential comeback by Republican Donald Trump.

Nixon, a 67-year-old attorney, is returning to the national political scene for the first time since ending his governorship in 2017. He will serve as the director of ballot integrity for No Labels, inspired by the fact that groups funded by Democrats are attempting to prevent No Labels from securing ballot access in crucial states.

He argues that those trying to impede the organization’s ballot rights are undermining a fundamental element of American democracy.

Addressing Democrats, Nixon stated in an interview with The Big Big News, “You have your views, and that’s your right. But we too have our constitutional and statutory rights to give Americans another option.”

Thus far, the 2024 presidential campaign conversation has primarily been about President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. However, No Labels, a group based in Washington advocating for compromise, national unity, and moderate policy solutions, is planning a significant third-party presidential bid, similar to the strong performance of businessman Ross Perot in 1992.

No Labels, armed with an estimated budget of $70 million, is working to secure ballot access in around 20 states this year, having already accomplished this in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.

While no nominations for president and vice president have been made by No Labels, the organization’s leadership asserts that a path to victory exists for a moderate third-party ticket, particularly if the two main parties nominate highly polarizing candidates.

Critics within the Democratic Party fear that No Labels will draw votes away from Biden, who defeated Trump narrowly in 2020, thanks to a coalition of moderate Democrats, independents, and former Republicans.

In a bid to prevent aiding a potential Trump victory, the leadership of No Labels has committed to a series of checks and balances that would enable them to withdraw their presidential ticket if necessary. The group is yet to release a detailed plan for this, although they do acknowledge the urgency of the situation and plan to do so by early fall.

Despite these promises, many Democrats remain skeptical.

In a sign of growing concern among the Democratic establishment, two influential Democratic groups, the centrist Third Way and the more progressive MoveOn, conducted private meetings with key Democratic House and Senate staff members, stressing the importance of halting the presidential ambitions of No Labels.

Despite the No Labels leadership’s vehement denial of the allegations, Democrats are not willing to accept their assurances.

Joining Nixon in supporting No Labels are several notable former elected officials from both parties, fueling speculation about the group’s possible presidential ticket. The group is preparing for a presidential nomination convention in Dallas next April, showing no signs of slowing down its 2024 plans.

Meanwhile, Democratic opposition continues, with complaints lodged in Arizona and Maine and the formation of a super political action committee specifically designed to counter No Labels’ initiatives.

Despite the political storm he’s stepping into, Nixon remains undeterred, standing firm in his conviction of No Labels’ constitutional right to secure a spot on the ballot. He asserts, “I feel calm. I feel in the right. I believe we are on moral high ground here.”

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More about Third-Party Presidential Bid

• Jay Nixon Wikipedia page
• No Labels official website
• 2024 United States presidential election
• Donald Trump Wikipedia page
• Ross Perot’s 1992 presidential campaign