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Former New Jersey governor and 2024 GOP presidential contender Chris Christie has responded to growing rumors that he is considering a third-party run on the “No Labels” ticket.
According to Axios, Christie “has declined to run for president with the centrist political group No Labels, a spokesperson confirmed” to the outlet on Wednesday.
The former Trump ally-turned-nemesis is the latest high-profile political figure to turn down an offer to run on the No Labels ticket.
“While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward,” Christie, who ran Trump’s 2016 transition team, said in a statement.
As early as last week, Christie was still considering the opportunity, the outlet said.
“I appreciate the encouragement I’ve gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy,” he said then. “I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what we’re doing and leadership that strives to bring people together instead of using anger to divide us.”
“I appreciate the encouragement I’ve gotten to pursue a third party candidacy. I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what we’re doing and leadership that strives to bring people together, instead of using anger to divide us. While I…
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) March 28, 2024
The Washington Post first reported on Christie’s decision to turn down the No Labels candidacy. The paper reported that he made his decision after commissioning polling in a dozen states to conclude he had no path to victory.
“Other high-profile lawmakers who have turned down a No Labels ticket include former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W. Va.) and former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R),” Axios reported, adding: “No Labels said earlier this month that it intends to nominate a ticket by April but that it is willing to scrap its plans if unable to find a candidate with a viable path to victory.”
Christie, who ended his bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination in January, refused for months to rule out a third-party bid.
“I don’t know who the full field’s going to be yet,” Christie told “Good Morning America” in February. “And there might be a No Labels candidate.”
Christie admitted to the ABC Morning Show that the group had not yet approached him about running at the time, but he did not say that he would not do so if asked.
“Well, what I’ve said in the past is that I’d have to see a path for anybody — not just me — but I think anybody who would accept that would need to see a path to 270 electoral votes,” he said. “If there was ever a time in our lifetime when a third-party candidate could make a difference, I think it’s now.”
Christie engaged in a fiery back-and-forth with the far-left ladies of “The View” during an appearance in January before he dropped out fo the race over a discussion involving his 2024 GOP primary candidacy and after he said he won’t be voting for President Joe Biden.
After Christie said he wouldn’t be voting for either Biden or former President Donald Trump should the latter go on to win the GOP nomination, co-host Joy Behar waved her hand and accused him of being a “copout,” while fellow co-host Sunny Hostin said he would be surrendering his right to vote, the Daily Caller reported.
“If it’s Trump versus Biden, who would you vote for?” Behar asked.
“I wouldn’t vote for either of them. I wouldn’t. No, don’t give me that!” the former New Jersey governor responded.
“That’s a copout,” Behar interjected.
“No, it’s not a copout,” Christie pushed back.
“It’s a copout,” she reiterated.
“You want me to choose —” Christie began before Hostin chimed in.
“You would give away your right to vote?” Hostin asked.
“No, I would vote for everyone down the ticket. But I’m not gonna vote for — look, I’m not gonna vote for someone who I don’t believe is capable anymore of the presidency, which is Joe Biden, and somebody —”
Hostin then said that Christie believed Trump was capable of being president in the past, to which the former governor said he was wrong to think so.
