HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock appears to be in no hurry to announce his plans for the 2020 election, even as the Democratic field of presidential candidates grows more crowded by the day.
Bullock made multiple trips last year to early voting states such as Iowa and New Hampshire as he flirts with joining what's expected to be a large field of would-be challengers to President Donald Trump.
But he's not jumping in yet, and he has given no sign that he plans to announce a decision before Montana's legislative session ends in April.
During a news conference Wednesday, Bullock deflected repeated questions on his presidential aspirations and whether delaying an announcement would put him at a disadvantage when it comes to raising money in a crowded field.
"I am at a great advantage to be able to do the job that I get to do, and that's what I'm focusing on," he said. "My aspirations are to make sure that we get publicly funded pre-school for our kids and Medicaid expansion."
On Tuesday, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand became the latest Democrat to enter the race. Last week, former Obama cabinet member Julian Castro and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced their candidacies.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren previously announced she is forming an exploratory committee.
In 2017, Bullock formed a political-action committee called Big Sky Values that was widely seen as a first step in exploring a presidential bid.
Since then, he's made numerous appearances nationwide in which he touts his record as a Democratic governor who can work with a Republican legislature, and as a crusader against dark money in election campaigns.