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 BloombergFormer Clinton staffers invited to celebrate Sanders dropping out: report Sanders drops out of presidential race New York City auctioned off extra ventilators due to cost of maintenance: report 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 BidenThe Hill's Campaign Report: Sanders exits, clearing Biden's path to nomination Former Clinton staffers invited to celebrate Sanders dropping out: report Sanders exit leaves deep disappointment on left MORE and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Pete ButtigiegFormer Clinton staffers invited to celebrate Sanders dropping out: report Sanders exit leaves deep disappointment on left Michael Bennet endorses Biden for president MORE and more liberal-leaning hopefuls such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenOn The Money: Mnuchin, Schumer in talks to strike short-term relief deal | Small businesses struggling for loans | Treasury IG sends Dems report on handling of Trump tax returns Trump says Obama knows 'something that you don't know' about Biden Senators push for changes to small business aid MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersTrump says Obama knows 'something that you don't know' about Biden The Hill's Campaign Report: Sanders exits, clearing Biden's path to nomination Former Clinton staffers invited to celebrate Sanders dropping out: report 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.”
