President: Candidate Status Update

​Sen. Cory Booker:  Early news stories are reporting that New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is informing colleagues that he will formally announce his presidential campaign.
 
Jill Stein:  Green Party 2016 and ’12 presidential nominee Jill Stein, who successfully requested post-election recounts of the close Great Lakes States until it became obvious that no major counting errors were present in the last election, announced that she will not become a candidate in 2020.  She received just 1.1% of the national vote in 2016, and 0.4% in 2012.
 
Rep. Eric Swalwell:  California Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) continues to say he is considering entering the presidential contest.  Though a minor candidate who would not be a serious threat to win the Democratic nomination, Mr. Swalwell did offer a newsworthy comment.  While he could run both for President and his House seat should his national nomination quest be unsuccessful, the Congressman said he would not seek re-election to the House if he ultimately becomes a presidential candidate.
 
Since it is unlikely he would risk a safe House seat for a very long shot presidential run, the odds now favor him bypassing the national campaign.
 
William Weld:  Former Massachusetts Governor and Libertarian Party Vice Presidential nominee Bill Weld indicated that he is planning a Republican nomination campaign announcement on February 15th but refuses to answer any questions about the event to avoid “spoiling” his address.