Former two-term Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced his 2020 presidential bid in an online video on Monday. He joins an already crowded field of Democratic contenders including senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Bernie Sanders.
Standing on the top of a snow-capped mountain, Hickenlooper said the nation was in the midst of a crisis that “threatens everything we stand for.” He said: “I’ve proven again and again I can bring people together to produce the progressive change Washington has failed to deliver.”
The 67 year old Hickenlooper entered politics in 2003, ending his career in Colorado in early January when he passed his gubernatorial baton to successor Jared Polis. He worked as a geologist in the oil and gas industry until getting laid off during an economic downturn. After opening and operating a successful Denver brewpub, the Wynkoop, he ran for Denver mayor. He held that office from 2003 to 2011.
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