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Phoenix.- More than 15 thousand people in Arizona have registered to join a new political party with a possible “formula of unity” against Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Although it is less than the population of each of the state’s 40 largest cities, the figure would be enough to tip the election in a crucial battleground state. And it alarms people who are trying to prevent a possible return of Trump to the White House.

The mere existence of the No Labels group makes Democrats anxious about Trump’s chances against a president questioned because of his age and record. Although he has not committed to running a ticket for president and vice president, No Labels has gained ballot access in Arizona and 10 other states. Its organizers say they are on track to get it in 20 states by the end of the year and all 50 states by election day, Nov. 5, 2024.

“If they run a candidate with the intention of uniting the country, obviously that takes votes away from Joe Biden and it doesn’t take votes away from Donald Trump,” said Rodd McLeod, a Democratic strategist in Arizona.

Biden’s allies are mounting an aggressive pressure campaign against No Labels and politicians who meet with the group.

In Arizona, which Biden won by 10,000 votes in 2020, the state Democratic Party sued Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who is a Democrat, to try to prevent the registration of No Labels. Democrats are now pressuring Fontes to force No Labels to reveal who its donors are, as they suggest the group is maintained by conservatives trying to thwart Biden’s re-election. So far, No Labels has declined to identify its donors because it says it follows federal law and wants to protect donor privacy.

Fontes has not made any public statements, but is expected to make an announcement in the coming weeks after telling No Labels that he could take legal action because the group has not registered under state financing law. His decision is likely to be appealed in court.

Some of the efforts against No Labels are quixotic. A perpetual candidate from outside Phoenix registered as the group’s candidate and declared himself president of the party’s Pinal County branch, in part to run for state office and to try to force the party to register under state law. of campaign finance.

Biden’s narrow victory in 2020 was due in part to the votes of anti-Trump Republicans, right-wing independents and voters who considered Biden the lesser evil. He will need your votes in case of a rematch.

In Arizona, Biden had the support of Republican Senator Jeff Flake and Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, a lifelong Republican who clashed publicly with Trump.

2023-09-23 08:58:30
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