‘Cruelty of Our Elections Process’ Cited By Deval Patrick for Not Running in 2020

Cruelty is keeping former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick from running for president in 2020, he said Thursday.

"After a lot of conversation, reflection and prayer, I've decided that a 2020 campaign for president is not for me," Patrick said in a written statement posted on Facebook on Thursday morning. "I've been overwhelmed by advice and encouragement from people from all over the country, known and unknown. Humbled, in fact. But knowing that the cruelty of our elections process would ultimately splash back on people whom Diane and I love, but who hadn't signed up for the journey, was more than I could ask."