Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is mulling a 2020 White House run, The New York Times reported on Monday.
The former governor spoke with Democratic officials about entering the race after saying the current candidates don’t have the necessary political momentum, two Democrats with knowledge of the conversations told the Times. He also reportedly said he thinks he could bring liberal and moderate Democrats together.
Michael Rubens BloombergDNC announces new criteria for New Hampshire debate Bloomberg receives 45-day extension for public financial disclosure report with FEC Bloomberg's congressional endorsers grow to three MORE moved to enter the already crowded Democratic primary, with the race appearing deeply divided as the Iowa caucus approaches early next year.Massachusetts Democrats have also reportedly connected with party leaders in early primary states to tip that Patrick may run, one Democrat who was notified told the Times.
Patrick would need to file by Friday to run in the New Hampshire primary.
His potential last-minute run comes as the Democratic vote appears split between moderate candidates including former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenSanders to headline Iowa event amid impeachment trial Hillicon Valley: Biden calls for revoking tech legal shield | DHS chief 'fully expects' Russia to try to interfere in 2020 | Smaller companies testify against Big Tech 'monopoly power' Hill.TV's Krystal Ball on Sanders-Warren feud: 'Don't play to the pundits, play to voters' MORE and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Peter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegSanders to headline Iowa event amid impeachment trial Hill.TV's Krystal Ball on Sanders-Warren feud: 'Don't play to the pundits, play to voters' Poll: Sanders holds 5-point lead over Buttigieg in New Hampshire MORE and more liberal-leaning hopefuls such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Ann WarrenSanders to headline Iowa event amid impeachment trial Hill.TV's Saagar Enjeti rips Sanders over handling of feud with Warren On The Money — Presented by Wells Fargo — Sanders defends vote against USMCA | China sees weakest growth in 29 years | Warren praises IRS move on student loans MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersSanders to headline Iowa event amid impeachment trial Hill.TV's Saagar Enjeti rips Sanders over handling of feud with Warren On The Money — Presented by Wells Fargo — Sanders defends vote against USMCA | China sees weakest growth in 29 years | Warren praises IRS move on student loans MORE (I-Vt.). None of the front-runners have been able to pull away from the others definitively in polling.
Patrick could have an advantage in New Hampshire, being a former governor from the New England area, and could gain support from voters in South Carolina as an African American.
The former governor announced last November he would not run in the 2020 presidential race because of the impact the campaign would have on his family. Last month, however, a reporter asked him if he could fully rule out a 2020 presidential run, and he answered, “Don’t ask me that question.”
