Carson to announce 2016 decision on May 4
Republican Ben Carson, the pediatric neurosurgeon who has been exploring a run for president, is ready to jump in. Maybe. Carson will announce his decision on May 4, according to a Facebook post Monday
“I am excited to announce that on May 4th, in my home town of Detroit, I will announce my decision on whether or not I become a candidate for President,” Carson wrote.
Carson will visit Columbia on Wednesday for a balanced-budget amendment rally at the State House.
A decision to enter the race would push Carson, the former head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, into his first political campaign. It also follows months of what his aides have called a crash course on everything from economic to foreign policy. While his team acknowledges he isn’t in the top tier of GOP candidates, his grass-roots support is notable, both in fundraising and in polling. Carson raised $2.1 million in less than a month after launching his campaign exploratory committee, according to his team. He has also consistently polled well in early primary states.
Still, he would come to race as the least experienced candidate in a field that already includes Sens. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. He also has become known as much for rattling cable news audiences as he has for his life story and professional accomplishments – the type that led President George W. Bush to award him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Since the announcement of his exploratory committee, Carson has made several trips to New Hampshire. Carson previously announced during a teleforum with supporters that he would make his decision in the first week of May.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2015 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Carson to announce 2016 decision on May 4."