Hickenlooper won’t explore presidential bid until governor term ends

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (D) on Thursday answered a question about a potential 2020 presidential run by saying he won’t think about it until after his gubernatorial term ends in 503 days.

Hickenlooper told MSNBC “no” when asked if he could confirm rumors he plans to run as a Democratic candidate in 2020. He said it would distract the state government from current legislative efforts. 

However he indicated he’s given the process some thought even if he hasn’t made a decision.

“The moment I start worrying about what happens in, you know, in 503 days when I finish my term as governor, the moment I put a packet together, get a committee together, then not only am I distracted, but everyone who works with me, my cabinet, everyone gets distracted and then we’re not going to do a good job of getting these last programs done and done right,” he said, detailing the steps for a presidential exploratory committee.

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But Hickenlooper was firm that he and his team are not actively pursuing a presidential campaign.

“We’re not,” Hickenlooper said on whether he is exploring a 2020 run. “I mean, people ask me and obviously I talk about it from time to time,” he acknowledged. 

Hickenlooper is one of several rumored contenders for the Democratic ticket to run against the presumptive Republican candidate President Trump in 2020.