Deval Patrick, former governor of Massachusetts, reportedly has decided to enter the Democratic presidential race, joining a still-growing field of White House hopefuls.
Patrick has started calling Democratic allies to inform them of his decision and plans to file paperwork to join the New Hampshire primary before the end of the week, CNN reported.
He is expected to launch his campaign with a video and an appearance in New Hampshire, where he hopes to make a strong showing because he is from the neighboring state.
Patrick, who boasts a close friendship with President Barack Obama, would be the second candidate along with billionaire Mike Bloomberg to make an eleventh-hour entry into the race.
Bloomberg says he is throwing his hat in the ring because he fears none of the current candidates is in a strong position to beat President Donald Trump. That is widely viewed as a slap at Joe Biden, whose campaign Bloomberg believes has been lackluster.
Patrick, who is black, may be jumping into the race because of the failure of either Sen. Kamala Harris or Sen. Cory Booker to catch fire among African American voters, who are a major voting bloc in the Democratic primary race.
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