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No Labels
FormationDecember 13, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-12-13) (public launch)
TypePolitical
Legal status501(c)(4)
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Region served
United States
CEO
Nancy Jacobson
Nancy Jacobson (president)
Jerald S Howe Jr. (treasurer)
Andrew Tisch
Andrew M. Bursky
Dennis C. Blair
Charles R. Black Jr.
Tish Bazil
Websitewww.nolabels.org

No Labels is an American political organization whose stated mission is to support centrism and bipartisanship.[1] In 2010, No Labels was founded as a 501(c)(4) with Nancy Jacobson as its board president.[2][3] In 2023, she also was appointed as CEO.

Focus

House of Representatives

In 2017, the group helped to start the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House of Representatives, a bipartisan group of approximately 60 congressional members.

For the 2019–2020 House term, the Problem Solvers Caucus reached an agreement with then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi on House rule changes [4] that some praised as practical and necessary,[5] while others claimed it might give House Republicans[5] and/or corporate interests[6] more power for that term.[7]

In 2021, the Problem Solvers Caucus released a "Building Bridges" blueprint for a bipartisan infrastructure deal. It was the first deal to be endorsed by Republicans and Democrats during that budget cycle.[8]

Efforts to block tax increases on the wealthiest Americans and corporations, especially in 2021 and 2022, have been attributed to No Labels by The Intercept[9] and Jacobin.[10]

2024 presidential ticket

No Labels says it is close to raising the $70 million that it thinks will enable it to put a third-party "unity ticket" for the 2024 presidential election on the ballot in every state.[11] Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and former Republican Governors Larry Hogan and Jon Huntsman have been mentioned as potential No Labels candidates.[12][13] As of August 2023, the organization has ballot access in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida,[14] Nevada,[15] North Carolina,[16] Oregon,[15] South Dakota,[17] and Utah.[15] The party attempted to tap Republican Candidate Chris Christie, however, Christie rejected the group's approach outright.[18]

Pushback

The effort has been criticized by Democrats, centrists and Republicans who fear it could give former president Donald Trump a second term.[19][20][21][22] Center-left members of No Labels' Problem Solvers Caucus are reportedly "in open revolt"[23][24] while co-founder William Galston resigned in protest.[25][26] A bi-partisan group of former lawmakers, citing the threat to democracy they see from Trump, launched a Super PAC called Citizens to Save Our Republic to focus on stopping No Labels' presidential ticket.[27][28] Nonprofits Third Way and MoveOn have also begun organizing a campaign to get Democrats to disavow No Labels.[29] FiveThirtyEight's review of polling on July 13, 2023, finds that a bi-partisan ticket like the one proposed by No Labels would likely benefit Trump.[30]

Funding

No Labels does not disclose its donors' identities on the grounds that "we live in an era where agitators and partisan operatives try to destroy and intimidate organizations they don’t like by attacking their individual supporters."[31] Despite this, various publications have attempted to uncover the largest sources of funding for the group.

Early donors to No Labels include billionaire Andrew Tisch, co-chairman of Loews Corporation; Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread; Dave Morin, a former Facebook executive, and supporters of Michael Bloomberg.[32]

A 2018 Chicago Sun-Times investigation first linked these five super PACs to No Labels: United for Progress, Inc.; Citizens for a Strong America, Inc.; United Together; Govern or Go Home; and Forward, Not Back.[33][34][35] Later in the year, OpenSecrets built on that work and linked two additional super PACs to No Labels, Patriotic Americans PAC and Progress Tomorrow, Inc.[36] According to the FEC website, all seven of these super PACs were closed in 2020.[37][38][39][40][41][42][43]

According to The Daily Beast, by the end of the 2018 cycle, the No Labels Super PACs received more than $11 million from 53 donors, most of whom came from the financial industry.[44]

Along with nearly two dozen new donors, The New Republic reported in 2023 that No Labels has received major funding that included Harlan Crow, a leading donor to Republican and conservative causes who became embroiled in controversy related to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.[45]

Critics of the organization have suggested that, in practice, No Labels works to advance the financial interests of the wealthy.[44][46][47] This has been echoed in critiques that the group caters to the special interests that drive partisanship (instead of promoting bipartisanship)[6] with Frank Rich opining, "what America needs is not another political organization with a toothless agenda and less-than-transparent finances".[48]

Leadership

Nancy Jacobson has been the board president since the founding of the organization and in 2023 began serving as CEO as well. In December 2020, No Labels announced Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, as a national co-chair (prominent spokesperson[49]) to serve alongside the No Labels founding co-chair Joe Lieberman.[50] In January 2023, Benjamin Chavis joined Hogan as national co-chair.[51]

Nancy Jacobson (board president and CEO) and Jerald S. Howe Jr. (board treasurer) have been on the board since the founding of the group in 2010. Andrew Tisch joined in 2012. Andrew M. Bursky joined in 2015. Dennis C. Blair and Charles R. Black Jr. joined in 2019.[52] Tish Bazil was added to the organization's website as a Board Member in 2023.[53] Previous board members include: Ted Buerger (2010), Joshua Bekenstein (2010), Mark Nunnelly (2010), Mark McKinnon (2010–2012), Nate Garvis (2010–2013), Holly Page (2010–2013), and Lisa Borders (2014–2017).[52]

Kenneth A. Gross (2012-2023) and Margie Fox (2009-2023) were removed from the group's webpage of Board members.[54]

Work environment

Based on 14 interviews with former employees in December 2022, Politico described a "toxic" culture within No Labels. The article cited a "cutthroat culture, one where staffers are routinely fired or pushed out, have little trust in management, and believe the workplace environment can be difficult for minority and female colleagues".[55] In response to the criticism, several senior officials for the group described to Politico the complaints as coming from "aggrieved ex-workers" who could not "adapt" to a demanding office culture.[55] In August 2023, a Black former outreach manager of No Labels sued the political organization, claiming she was discriminated against because of her race and retaliated against for reporting the alleged discrimination.[56]

Politico reported that in addition to requiring non-disclosure agreements, Nancy Jacobson has been accused by former employees of asking staff members to obscure where they work on LinkedIn, allegedly, in order to make it more difficult for journalists to ascertain (and interview) No Labels employees.[55]

See also

References

  1. ^ Broadwater, Luke (December 15, 2020). "No Labels, Planning Centrist Push in New Congress, Taps Larry Hogan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  2. ^ Clift, Eleanor (April 11, 2015). "The Only Bipartisan Game in Town". Retrieved February 2, 2019. ...the non-profit group that was founded in 2010 to advocate for that elusive middle way.
  3. ^ "A No Labels solution to Washington gridlock?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  4. ^ McPherson, Lindsey (November 28, 2018). "Problem Solvers to Back Pelosi for Speaker After Reaching Agreement on Rules Changes". Roll Call. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "The Democratic House wants to reform democracy. It's not a panacea — but it's a start". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Pocan, Mark (December 4, 2018). "Congressman: I Was Duped By 'No Labels'". Huffington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  7. ^ Fang, Lee (November 29, 2018). "Billionaire Republican Donors Helped Elect Rising Centrist Democrats". The Intercept. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  8. ^ McPherson, Lindsey (June 9, 2021). "Bipartisan House caucus offers alternative infrastructure plan after Senate GOP talks collapse". Roll Call. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Sirota, Sara (October 25, 2021). "Josh Gottheimer's Obstructionist Crew Raised Millions During Showdown With Nancy Pelosi". The Intercept. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Perez, Andrew (May 2023). "Last Year's Biden-Endorsed Gubernatorial Nominee in South Carolina Just Joined the No Labels Group". Jacobin. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  11. ^ Hillyard, Vaughn; Koretski, Katherine; Gallo, Dan (July 17, 2023). "Joe Manchin and Jon Huntsman flirt with third-party 2024 ticket in New Hampshire". NBC News. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Axelrod, Tal (March 7, 2023). "Larry Hogan won't close the door on third-party presidential bid in 2024". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  13. ^ Robins-Early, Nick (July 17, 2023). "Manchin appearance with third-party group fuels speculation over 2024 run". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Robertson, Gary D. (August 14, 2023). "'No Labels' movement says it could offer independent presidential ticket in 2024". AP News. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Girnus, April Corbin. "No Labels qualifies in Nevada as minor party for 2024 general election". Reno Gazette-Journal. Nevada Current. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "State Board Recognizes No Labels as a Political Party" (Press release). Concord, NC: North Carolina State Board of Elections. August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  17. ^ Mayer, Eric (August 10, 2023). "Newly recognized No Labels Party solely focused on ballot access". KELOLAND News. Nexstar Media Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Morgan, David. "Third-party No Labels will not be a 'spoiler' in 2024 election, chair says". Reuters. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  19. ^ Meyerson, Harold (April 12, 2023). "No Labels' Real Label: Vanity Candidates 'R' Us". The American Prospect. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  20. ^ Giles, Ben (April 26, 2023). "No Labels is getting on state ballots, drawing a lawsuit and concerns about a spoiler". National Public Radio.
  21. ^ Chait, Jonathan (April 3, 2023). "The Terrifying Threat That No Labels Will Reelect Trump". Intelligencer. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Scherer, Michael (April 2, 2023). "No Labels group raises alarms with third-party presidential preparations". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Weisman, Jonathan (May 19, 2023). "'No Labels' Eyes a Third-Party Run in 2024. Democrats Are Alarmed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  24. ^ Lippman, Daniel (May 26, 2023). "House Dems in No Labels-allied caucus are livid with No Labels". Politico. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Collins, Michael (May 13, 2023). "A Trump-Biden rematch? Pass, says this group searching for a third-party option in 2024". USA Today. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Galston, William A. (May 2, 2023). "Opinion | No Labels May Re-Elect Donald Trump". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  27. ^ Krieg, Gregory; Zeleny, Jeff; Simon, Jeff (July 18, 2023). "Manchin refuses to rule out third party presidential campaign, says 'if I get in a race, I'm going to win'". CNN Politics. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  28. ^ Strauss, Daniel (July 17, 2023). "Wagons Circle Around No Labels as Big-Name Group Forms Super PAC". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  29. ^ Nichols, Hans (August 2, 2023). "The anti-No Labels pledge". Axios.
  30. ^ Skelley, Geoffrey (July 13, 2023). "Why A Third-Party Candidate Might Help Trump — And Spoil The Election For Biden". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  31. ^ "No Labels 2024 Insurance Project FAQ". nolabels.org. No Labels. April 2, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  32. ^ Langley, Monica (November 24, 2010). "Aiming for the Political Middle". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  33. ^ Sweet, Lynn (March 12, 2018). "Bipartisan 'No Labels' group's super PAC network revealed: mega Chicago donors". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  34. ^ Fang, Lee (November 29, 2018). "Billionaire Republican Donors Helped Elect Rising Centrist Democrats". The Intercept. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  35. ^ Stein, Sam (December 3, 2018). "How No Labels Went From Preaching Unity to Practicing the Dark Arts". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  36. ^ "Super PAC behind spending in Minnesota and Florida primaries linked to nonpartisan No Labels group". OpenSecrets News. August 2, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  37. ^ "UNITED TOGETHER - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "FORWARD NOT BACK - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  39. ^ "CITIZENS FOR A STRONG AMERICA INC - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  40. ^ "UNITED FOR PROGRESS, INC. - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  41. ^ "PROGRESS TOMORROW, INC. - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  42. ^ "GOVERN OR GO HOME - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  43. ^ "PATRIOTIC AMERICANS PAC - committee overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  44. ^ a b Stein, Sam; Markay, Lachlan (December 3, 2018). "How No Labels Went from Preaching Unity to Practicing the Dark Arts". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  45. ^ Strauss, Daniel (April 19, 2023). "No Labels Took More Than $100,000 From Clarence Thomas Buddy Harlan Crow". The New Republic.
  46. ^ Grim, Ryan (September 23, 2021). "Dark-Money Group to Donors: Reconciliation Bill Can Still be Killed". The Intercept. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  47. ^ Fang, Lee (August 26, 2021). "No Labels Offered Conservative Democrats Hundreds of Thousands to Spurn Nancy Pelosi Fundraiser". The Intercept. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  48. ^ Rich, Frank (December 19, 2010). "The Bipartisanship Racket". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  49. ^ "No Labels, Marking 10th Anniversary, Welcomes Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as National Co-Chair". web.archive.org. January 28, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  50. ^ Booker, Brakkton (December 15, 2020). "Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Named Co-Chair Of Bipartisan Group No Labels". National Public Radio. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  51. ^ "Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Named National Co-Chair of No Labels". The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint. January 23, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  52. ^ a b Suozzo, Andrea; Schwencke, Ken; Tigas, Mike; Wei, Sisi; Glassford, Alec; Roberts, Brandon. "No Labels, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  53. ^ "Legal Board - No Labels". www.nolabels.org. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  54. ^ Moore, David (July 12, 2023). Shaw, Donald (ed.). "No Labels Appears to Be Losing Board Members". Sludge. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  55. ^ a b c Lippman, Daniel (December 7, 2022). "Inside the turmoil roiling No Labels' unity ticket presidential campaign". Politico. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  56. ^ Lippman, Daniel (August 14, 2023). "No Labels sued by ex-employee over alleged racial discrimination". Politico. Retrieved August 16, 2023.

External links

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