Deval Patrick describes his Democratic presidential run as 'a Hail Mary from two stadiums over'
It's official: At least one more candidate is making a last-minute entrance into the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, though he acknowledges a tough road ahead.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced Thursday he's running for president, jumping into a crowded Democratic field with less than three months to go until the Iowa caucuses.
Patrick in his announcement video said that "I admire and respect the candidates in the Democratic field," but "if the character of the candidates is an issue in every election, this time is about the character of the country." He adds, "This won't be easy, and it shouldn't be."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The former governor also told The Boston Globe that "I recognize running for president is a Hail Mary under any circumstances," but "this is a Hail Mary from two stadiums over." Patrick, who says he spoke with former President Obama ahead of his announcement, is set to file for the New Hampshire primary on Thursday.
The New York Times reports that Patrick has "received encouragement from some in the party who believe the race remains unsettled" and that he has told advisers he aims for a campaign similar to Obama's in 2008, "focusing more on bringing people together and healing the country than making a particular ideological case."
This might not be the last late entry into the Democratic race, with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg eying a run.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Why scientists are attempting nuclear fusionThe Explainer Harnessing the reaction that powers the stars could offer a potentially unlimited source of carbon-free energy, and the race is hotting up
-
Codeword: October 27, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
