Amid weeks of speculation that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels might join the race for President, he has now released a statement saying he will pass this time and will not launch a candidacy.
Report from Politico:
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told supporters in an email early Sunday that he will not run for president in 2012, a decision he said ultimately came down to his family’s reticence about a campaign.
The announcement by the former Office of Management and Budget director and favorite of much of the Republican establishment will again roil the unsettled GOP field—and likely intensify efforts to convince another major candidate to join the race, such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
The Daniels email, obtained by POLITICO, went out from Indiana GOP chief Eric Holcomb, a key Daniels adviser, soon after midnight, with the word “Urgent” in the subject line.
“The following is from Governor Mitch Daniels….” the email began.
“I hope this reaches you before the public news does,” Daniels wrote. “If so, please respect my confidence for the short time until I can make it known to all.”
“The counsel and encouragement I received from important citizens like you caused me to think very deeply about becoming a national candidate. In the end, I was able to resolve every competing consideration but one, but that, the interests and wishes of my family, is the most important consideration of all. If I have disappointed you, I will always be sorry.”
So Daniels is out essentially on the request of his family. I don’t blame them, it is a grueling task.
Next question, who does this benefit the most? Does Sarah Palin start to figure into the equation now with a lack of Huckabee and Daniels?
Donate Now to Support Election Central
- Help defend independent journalism
- Directly support this website and our efforts