No Labels, a centrist group, is moving toward a third-party presidential bid

The centrist group No Labels said Friday it would move forward with plans to nominate a presidential ticket, a move that, if materialized, would add another complicating factor to the November election.

Leaders of the group announced the plan after an online meeting of its members. The group said there were 800 delegates who voted “almost unanimously” to nominate a ticket. However, No Labels has not yet announced a candidate who might appear on the ballot, and several of the most high-profile hopefuls have ruled out a presidential run on a third-party ticket.

“Although we met virtually, their emotions and desire to bring this divided nation back together came right through the screen,” said Mike Rawlings, No Labels national convention chairman.

The meeting came at a crucial time for No Labels. With state deadlines approaching to qualify for the November election, the group had to move quickly to decide whether to launch a third-party bid and announce their fate.

No Labels’ evolution from a bipartisan, think tank-like organization to a so-called third party, with presidential candidate aspirations, has alarmed many Democrats, who worry the group could draw critical votes away from President Biden in battleground states.

This story will be updated.