Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) teased a “big announcement” Saturday amid speculation he will join a burgeoning Democratic presidential primary field.
“Coming soon. The only Democratic contender who won a Trump state will make a big announcement. Be the first to know,” the captions read in a 39-second video posted to the governor’s Twitter page advertising a link to his Facebook account.
pic.twitter.com/6JOe2tmDoz
Click Here: los jaguares argentina— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) May 11, 2019
The tweet comes a day after Bullock posted a video of himself running with the caption “Feels like a good season to run.”
Feels like a good season to run. pic.twitter.com/eyoaDRaDSW
— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) May 10, 2019
Bullock has long been floated as a possible dark-horse candidate to take on 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 in 2020. He is nearing the end of his second and final term in a state where he secured reelection by about four points in 2016 while Trump overwhelmed Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE by 20 points. Before serving as governor, Bullock was Montana’s attorney general for one term.
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All three of his statewide victories were in presidential years that saw Montana’s electoral votes go to the Republican at the top of the ticket. Bullock was also elected to lead the National Governors Association in 2018, a move many interpreted as an attempt to bolster his national standing.
Bullock has cultivated a simultaneously bipartisan and liberal reputation in Montana, courting Republicans with spending cuts while expanding Medicaid in Big Sky Country, raising the minimum wage, enacting campaign finance reform, defending abortion rights and supporting same-sex marriage.
He would likely angle his appeal toward his ability to earn the backing of Trump supporters as Democrats seek to expand the electoral map and regain their footing among white working-class voters in the Rust Belt.
However, Bullock would be entering a primary field that has already mushroomed to 22 candidates, many of whom have wider national name recognition and boast heftier campaign bank accounts.
He would also likely be running in a lane similar to that of former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, who has rocketed to the top of national and statewide polls and proved his fundraising prowess with a $6.3 million haul in his campaign’s first 24 hours.