Howard Schultz became a billionaire by co-founding the coffee giant, Starbucks. After many years as a coffee executive, he decided he might want to try his hand at politics. Schultz showed he was serious about the idea by hiring well known Republican strategist, Steve Schmidt, to help with his campaign.
The roll-out of a potential presidential run, though, hit like a thud as Democrats feared Schultz running could aid Donald Trump. The maybe candidate suspended his campaign in June, and today, he announced that he will not be running in 2020.
In a statement, Schultz wrote, “My belief in the need to reform our two-party system has not wavered, but I have concluded that an independent campaign for the White House is not how I can best serve our country at this time.”
When asked about the damage an Independent candidate could do to the Democratic candidate, he replied, “If I decide to run for president as an independent, I will believe and have the conviction and the courage to believe I can win. I can’t answer that question today. But I certainly am not going to do anything to put Donald Trump back in the Oval Office.”
Prominent Democrats were pleased with the news. Former Clinton strategist, Adam Parkhomenko, wrote, “Thanks to everyone who came out and protested Howard Schultz this year on his book tour and made clear there were were no…grounds to run on. Success.”
Thanks to everyone who came out and protested Howard Schultz this year on his book tour and made clear there were were no…grounds to run on. Success. https://t.co/M3a4tt5yTN
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) September 6, 2019
Former Obama aide Jon Favreau also weighed in, tweeting, “It’s hard to overstate how good the news is that Howard Schultz isn’t running. His potential spoiler candidacy, backed by that much money, was one of the biggest obstacles to defeating Trump.”
It’s hard to overstate how good the news is that Howard Schultz isn’t running. His potential spoiler candidacy, backed by that much money, was one of the biggest obstacles to defeating Trump.
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) September 6, 2019