Two-term Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick responded to rumors that he may run for the White House in 2016 with a “maybe.”
According to Politico, the 57-year-old Democrat is considering mounting a campaign, in which his likely opponent would be the heavily favored ex-Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“That’s a decision I have to make along with my wife of 30 years, and she’s a tough one to convince,” Patrick said. “Let’s just see what time tells.”
Patrick received widespread praise and national attention for his fiery speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and for his handling of the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing last year.
He is the first African-American to serve two terms as a governor in the United States. He also has a close personal relationship with President Barack Obama and has been one of his most active surrogates on the campaign trail.
“I’d like to have another opportunity to serve. I believe in service. I enjoy it,” Patrick said. “I also like coming and going, you know, because I think that my private-sector life has contributed to how I think about public-sector challenges and what I do in the public sector.”