Billionaire Michael Bloomberg files paperwork to run for U.S. president

[November 22, 2019]    By Jarrett Renshaw
 
 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire Michael Bloomberg filed paperwork on Thursday with the Federal Election Commission to run for U.S. president as a Democrat, the latest sign that the former New York City Mayor is joining the crowded nominating contest.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire media mogul and former New York City mayor, eats lunch with Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. after adding his name to the Democratic primary ballot in Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S., November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Aluka Berry - RC2V9D9BBJSS/File Photo

The filing allows Bloomberg to raise money in a bid for the White House, but an aide said on Thursday that no final decision on whether he will run has been made.

Bloomberg, 77, has signaled that he plans a late-entry in the Democratic primary, suggesting he feels the field of nearly 20 candidates is vulnerable. If he enters, he will likely forgo the early states where potential rivals have been visiting for months.

Bloomberg had already registered to appear on the ballot in Alabama, Arkansas and Texas.

A separate advisor said on Thursday that Bloomberg also filed to be on the ballot in Georgia and Michigan.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot)

[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.