Sen. Joe Manchin Coy On Running For President On No-Labels Ticket: ‘We Need Options’

On Monday, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) insinuated that he might make a presidential bid on the No Labels ticket. His potential third-party campaign has left Democrats to fear that it will only help Republican frontrunner Donald Trump take office.

No Labels is a political organization that “demands American leaders and citizens alike declare their freedom from the anger and divisiveness that are ruining our politics and most importantly, our country,” as its website states. The group has been teasing a presidential ticket and has been trying to find a candidate that will attract both Democratic and Republican voters.

Manchin has been courted by No Labels, though he has declined to comment on his plans to join the race and stated that “it’s too early.”

Although No Labels has promised that their candidate would take votes from both parties, Democrats have voiced concern that it will siphon more away from President Joe Biden, the party’s leading candidate.

Hours before the organization’s town hall event in New Hampshire on Monday — which Manchin attended and spoke at — former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt announced the formation of a bipartisan political action committee called Citizens to Save Our Republic and condemned No Labels for considering a presidential bid.

“We are calling on No Labels to abandon its efforts to nominate a third-party candidate,” said Gephardt. “It would take a lot more from Biden than from Trump, and ensure Trump’s victory.”

While he did not say whether he would run, Manchin voiced his opposition to a hyperpartisan election in which only Democratic and Republican voices are heard.

“We need options,” Manchin stated on Monday.