Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan has officially announced that he will not be running for president as a No Labels third-party candidate in the upcoming 2024 election. This decision comes after weeks of speculation surrounding his potential candidacy challenging both President Biden and former President Trump.
In a statement released on Monday, Duncan expressed his gratitude for being considered for the No Labels presidential ticket but ultimately decided to withdraw his name from consideration. He cited a focus on his private sector career, providing for his family, and his commitment to healing and improving the Republican Party with a vision for GOP 2.0 as reasons for his decision.
Duncan, who entered office as a Republican after winning the general election for lieutenant governor in 2018, has been a prominent figure in the political landscape.
No Labels, a centrist group, has been actively working towards fielding a presidential ticket and recently received approval from its delegates to proceed with the candidate search. Despite speculation about potential candidates, including former two-term Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, both individuals have opted out of consideration for the 'unity' ticket.
No Labels' chief strategist, Ryan Clancy, emphasized that while names have been circulating in the media, the group has not yet selected a ticket and any speculation should be taken with caution.
Duncan's decision to step back from the presidential race aligns with a broader trend of prominent figures within the Republican Party focusing on internal party dynamics and future electoral strategies. With the 2024 election cycle already generating significant interest and anticipation, the political landscape continues to evolve as potential candidates make strategic decisions about their political futures.