Publications
Publications
- August 2024
- HBS Case Collection
No Labels and the 2024 Presidential Insurance Plan
By: Robert F. White and Tom Quinn
Abstract
After observing record voter dissatisfaction with the choices in the 2024 U.S. presidential election – Democratic nominee President Joe Biden and Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump – the bipartisan nonprofit No Labels decided to reserve ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, aiming to facilitate a path for a moderate, “unity” candidate willing to run an independent campaign. They called it an “insurance policy.” The case tracks the challenges they faced – the byzantine election regulations, pressure and lawsuits from the major parties, and skepticism about their motives and strategy – ultimately leading to them ending the campaign after no credible unity candidates stepped forward.
Keywords
Disruption; Cost vs Benefits; Forecasting and Prediction; Lawfulness; Failure; System Shocks; United States
Citation
White, Robert F., and Tom Quinn. "No Labels and the 2024 Presidential Insurance Plan." Harvard Business School Case 825-044, August 2024.