Former Gov. Chris Christie (R) has refused to rule out running as a third-party candidate, saying he will do whatever it takes to prevent former President Donald Trump from being president again on Thursday’s episode of “The Axe Files” podcast with David Axelrod.
Speaking of the No Labels Party, David Axelrod, who was an advisor to former president Barack Obama, asked Christie if he would consider running on the party’s ticket. Christie said, “I think the way I would look at it is, 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.”
Christie endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 but has since become a political enemy to the former president.
Although Christie dropped out of the Republican presidential primaries after being unable to gain any real enthusiasm, apparently No Labels has reached out to him after founding member Joe Lieberman expressed interest in Chrisie as a potentially “very strong candidate” during a Sirius XM interview with Michael Smerconish in January.
No Labels stylizes itself as a “centrist” party and has shown interest in creating a “bipartisan” ticket.
In times past, Christie has called the idea of running for the No Labels party a “fools errand,” but now that he is getting renewed attention he is apparently changing his mind. “I wouldn’t preclude anything at this point,” he said.
A third party candidate has never won a race for president, and any time one runs for president they have historically been spoilers, taking votes away from one candidate or another. Speaking to the strength of Donald Trump’s political momentum, it is speculated by some that a third-party candidate would actually end up hurting Joe Biden instead of Trump, as it would potentially split the anti-Trump vote.
.@SarahLongwell25 on Chris Christie considering running on the No Labels ticket:
“If he doesn't want Donald Trump to be elected president again, he won’t run as a third party candidate…All that does is hurt Joe Biden and help Donald Trump.” pic.twitter.com/2kv0TOu7cC
— Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) March 21, 2024
This is a further testament to the notion that Democrats are not running on enthusiasm for Biden, but out of hatred for Trump as their prime motivating factor.
No Labels continues to struggle to get on state ballots as a recognized party and has still not found a candidate to fill their slot for president.
