Ben Carson launches 2016 exploratory effort
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson Tuesday established a formal exploratory committee for his possible 2016 presidential bid, the first Republican to take the step.
The doctor is in.
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced Tuesday he had formally created a presidential campaign exploratory committee, the first potential Republican candidate to take such a concrete step toward running in 2016.
Carson, 63, will be able to use the committee raise money to hire staff, travel and conduct other activities related to gauging support for a possible run. The money can be transferred to an eventual Carson campaign, should there be one.
"I will know by the amount of support we get, verbally and financially," Carson said in an interview last week with The Inquirer, referring to the decision-making process. "If no money comes in, I think I'll say, 'OK,' and go off and enjoy my retirement."
(Read Monday's story on Dr. Carson from The Inquirer and Philly.com.)
Carson, who grew up in extreme poverty in Detroit and rose to become the head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, has never run for political office. He has, however, been polling ahead of several established pols.
Carson became a conservative sensation after decrying federal spending and debt and President Obama's health care law at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, as Obama listened from a few feet away.
He has begun hiring staff in recent days, including a national finance director and aides in early-voting states, through his political action committee. Both the PAC and the exploratory committee are separate from each other and from the independent National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee, which says it has raised $15 million.