Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick — a two-term Democrat and only the second African-American politician to be elected governor anywhere in the country — is reconsidering his decision not to run for president in 2020, and could enter the crowded race as soon as Thursday, two people close to the former governor confirmed.
Patrick left office in 2015 after eight years on Beacon Hill, during which time he became a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Patrick then went to work for Bain Capital, and stepped away from politics until 2018, when he traveled to support congressional candidates in states like New Jersey, Georgia, Texas and the early voting primary state of South Carolina.
Patrick's renewed interest in getting into the crowded Democratic primary field was first reported Monday night by The New York Times.
The Democratic field already has a front-runner from Massachusetts in U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Medford native and New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg began taking steps toward a campaign last week.
Two people close to Patrick confirmed his interest Monday night, and one said they expected him to make an announcement on his campaign Thursday — a day before he would be required to file in New Hampshire to be on the primary ballot.
If he were to get into the race, Patrick would be challenged by a need to build a national profile quickly, and raise enough money to compete with candidates like Warren, who have been running since early 2019.
Last December, Patrick said the 2020 election was an "exciting moment" for Democrats to engage voters concerned about their "economic security and social justice," but said he would not be the candidate to do it.
"I've been overwhelmed by advice and encouragement from people from all over the country, known and unknown," Patrick wrote. "Humbled, in fact. But knowing that the cruelty of our elections process would ultimately splash back on people whom Diane and I love, but who hadn’t signed up for the journey, was more than I could ask."
