Montana Gov. Bullock joins 2020 Democratic presidential race

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced Tuesday that he is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, distinguishing himself among nearly two dozen candidates as the field's only statewide elected official to win a state that President Donald Trump carried in 2016.

The 53-year-old governor is running as a centrist Democrat who has advanced party values while navigating a Republican legislature and a GOP-leaning electorate.

Bullock made his candidacy official in a video that capped months of speculation fueled by his political activity in Iowa, which hosts the nation's first presidential caucus next February.

He plans to address supporters later Tuesday in the state capital, Helena, where he grew up not far from the governor's mansion.

"What we need to do is get the country back on track, make sure everybody has a fair shot at success," he told The Associated Press in an interview before launching his campaign via online video. "I've been able to get meaningful things done that impact the people of my state. I believe they'll be a strong reception for that."
"We need somebody who can win back some of these places we lost in '16," Bullock said, adding that "voters want somebody that they believe can win, that will fight for them."
"The lane that I'll be in is getting stuff done that does make a difference in people's lives," he said. "Is that progressive? Well, being the first state to do something about net neutrality ... is progress. What we've done in health care ... is progressive. I'd put my record on outside spending and dark money against anyone in the field."