Des Moines— Larry Hogan, former Maryland governor and moderate Republican opponent of Donald Trump, resigned as No Labels' chairman last month, suggesting he may run for president on the group's ballot line.
Hogan told No Labels President and CEO Nancy Jacobson of his departure as co-chair without discussing his future or criticizing the group's goals or leadership. He highlighted the Dec. 15 letter The Associated Press obtained Thursday and declined to comment.
No Labels wants universal ballot access for a presidential candidacy. Democrats and Trump critics think the measures will siphon votes from 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 direct the No Labels political operation,” Hogan wrote. On Wednesday, a Maryland elections official said No Labels had enough valid signatures to go on the ballot in Hogan's home state. No Labels is on the 2024 ballot in 13 states.
No Labels leaders will determine whether to name a presidential candidate this spring. The method is opaque, and the company frequently misses plan announcement deadlines. It canceled its April Dallas conference for online.Hogan, a major GOP Trump opponent, refused to run.
Hogan's team provided The Associated Press the letter on Thursday after former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie resigned from the Republican presidential candidacy. Christie, the most ardent Trump opponent, lost in a GOP loyal to the exiting president.
On Thursday, No Labels co-chair and former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman dubbed Christie “the kind of candidate No Labels is looking for.” Christie ended his campaign without No Labels. “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 may be a contender.”Christie's team reacted slowly.
No Labels described 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 said. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia considered running with No Labels. Manchin, a moderate Democrat not seeking reelection, will speak Friday in New Hampshire before the state's first presidential primary in January.