Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D) Wednesday poured cold water on speculation that he might run for president in 2020.
“I don’t think so. A lot of people have asked me that. I never say never, but at this point in time, I don’t think I’m going to do it,” Landrieu said on CNN when asked if he would launch a White House bid.
“The field is getting filled up. I think the Democrats have a lot of great candidates,” he added. “I feel very comfortable that there are people who are going to get into this race. Each and every one of them, by the way, are better than what President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE is offering for the country right now.”
“I don’t think so,” @MitchLandrieu, former mayor of New Orleans, says about possibly running for president in 2020. “I never say never, but at this point in time, I don’t think I’m going to do it.” https://t.co/ohZIqWzDzJ pic.twitter.com/SBJARXRFGg
— New Day (@NewDay) February 6, 2019
Landrieu has been discussed among election prognosticators as a potential dark horse in the 2020 Democratic primary field. A speech he gave in 2017 about removing Confederate monuments, coupled with a book he authored on the same subject, generated buzz, with many suggesting a southern Democrat could appeal to working-class voters who supported Trump in 2016.
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“Having won statewide in a deep-red state and citywide among a predominantly black, Democratic electorate, he has some track record in bridging these divides,” Democratic strategist Adam Sharp told The Hill in 2017. “There may be more paths open for him nationally than there are statewide right now.”
Several candidates have already announced or suggested they intend to run in 2020, including Democratic Sens. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (Calif.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (Mass.), Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (N.J.) and Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Warren, Pressley introduce bill to make it a crime for police officers to deny medical care to people in custody Senate Dems press DOJ over coronavirus safety precautions in juvenile detention centers MORE (N.Y.).
Many of those who have officially announced appear to be courting the progressive wing of the Democratic base. Landrieu’s candidacy likely would have pulled the bulk of its support from moderates in the party.