Starbucks’ former CEO Howard Schultz could be running for president in 2020. CNN reported that a person close to Schultz’s advisers said they “are exploring a possible independent bid for the presidency in 2020.”
The person went on to say, “[Schultz] is thinking deeply about his future and how he can best serve the country.”
After more than 40 years at Starbucks, Schultz stepped down from the company last year. With growing concerns about America’s leadership, he put out the idea of possibly running for the country’s top office. In an interview with The New York Times, he said, “I want to be truthful with you without creating more speculative headlines. For some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country—the growing division at home and our standing in the world.”
Since leaving the company last year, Schultz has been vocal about President Trump’s administration. In an interview with CNBC last June he said, “President Trump has given license to the fact that someone who is not a politician could potentially run for the presidency.”
The Democratic field is continuing to grow each day as Senators Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard have already announced their campaigns over the past few weeks.
With strong Democratic beliefs, Schultz is exploring the option to run as an independent candidate in 2020. According to CNN, “Third party and independent candidates failed to break out in the 2016 election, and no independent candidate has broken into the double digits since businessman Ross Perot’s 1992 independent bid garnered nearly 20 percent of the popular vote.”
This could mean Schultz might have a difficult campaign if he decides to run independently.
Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also exploring a possible run, however, the New York Times reported he would do so as a Democrat where he believes he would have more success.
During his time at Starbucks, Schultz was a leader that dealt with social and economic issues and advancements within the brand. In 2017, “the company said it plans to hire 10,000 refugees over five years,” reported CNN. The company has also championed for workers’ rights and benefits since its inception. It began offering health care to both full-time and part-time employees in 1988.
