Ex-governor Deval Patrick to enter Democratic race: US media

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New York, Nov 14 (AFP/APP): Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick has told senior Democrats that he plans to enter the 2020 presidential race this week, bloating an already crowded field, US media reported Wednesday.

The news that Patrick is considering a run at the nomination highlights the unsettled nature of the Democratic contest and comes as Michael Bloomberg also considers throwing his hat in the ring.

Patrick, one of the US’s first African-American governors, is expected to launch his campaign with a video before filing paperwork to be on the ballot in the New Hampshire primary, The New York Times reported.

CNN said he could make the announcement on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with his plans.
If he does then he would become the 18th candidate in the 2020 Democratic race.

His entry would highlight anxieties among centrists in the party who fear that the left-wing policies of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders will damage the Democrats’ chances of beating President Donald Trump next year.

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Patrick had ruled out a bid in December last year but regrets his decision, the broadcaster reported on its website.

Former New York mayor Bloomberg took a formal step towards joining the Democratic presidential race on Tuesday when he submitted paperwork to be on the ballot in Arkansas, four days after doing the same in Alabama.

Both states have early deadlines to register for the primaries, which Patrick has missed.

Bloomberg, who like Trump is a septuagenarian white New York billionaire, has yet to officially declare that he is running for the White House.

Experts say a Bloomberg candidacy could hurt the current frontrunner Joe Biden, the former vice president who is the leading centrist in the race.

It is unclear what sort of impact Patrick’s entry less than three months before the first votes in Iowa might have.

Patrick was a two-term governor of Massachusetts from January 2007 to January 2015.

The Democratic contest has two black candidates, Senator Kamala Harris of California and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. Both are languishing in the polls.

 

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