The non-partisan independent group whose goal was to field a third party presidential contender in the 2012 general election admitted defeat Thursday, saying their process for selecting a candidate had ended unsuccessfully.

"The primary process for the Americans Elect nomination has come to an end," the group wrote in a statement Thursday.

Earlier this week Americans Elect said in an email their complex set of rules for nominating a candidate prevented any single person from reaching the threshold for continuing with the process.

Those rules, the group said, must be followed.

"Americans Elect, from the outset, has been a rules-based process, with the rules publicly available and open to debate by the Delegates," Thursday's statement read.

Founded in April 2010, Americans Elect had qualified for ballot access in 27 states, and raised more than $20 million over two years. Prominent financial backers include Peter Ackerman, a wealthy financial executive based in New York.

The group came under fire for not disclosing its donors, as well as for its complicated process of nominating and supporting a candidate, which involves an extensive online verification system.

Currently the group's top declared candidate is Buddy Roemer, the former governor of Louisiana who previously this cycle ran for the Republican presidential nomination.

Other candidates at the top of the list include Rocky Anderson, the former mayor of Salt Lake City, and Michealene Risley, a writer and human rights activist.

In their statement Thursday, the organization said there remained a strong desire to put forward a third party candidate, and they would continue to work toward that goal.

"There is a desire among Delegates and millions of Americans who have supported Americans Elect to see a credible candidate emerge from this process," the statement read.

It continued, "We are continuing the Americans Elect mission of creating more choice in our political system, giving candidates unaffiliated with the nominating process of either major party an authentic way to run for office and giving the American people a greater voice in our political process."