Pete Wilson bars 2000 race for presidency

Associated Press, February 23, 1999

LOS ANGELES -- Faced with a daunting fund-raising challenge and strong competition from Texas Governor George W. Bush, former California Governor Pete Wilson said yesterday he has decided against running for president in 2000.

"Reluctantly, I'm compelled to conclude that it is just not practical to pursue a candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000," he said in a statement.

The two-term governor and 1996 presidential candidate admitted the presidency is the only elective office he wants, but said it is too costly to enter the race at this stage.

Some candidates have spent several years laying the groundwork for their presidential bids, while Wilson said he has focused on his duties as governor.

Wilson, 65, was never considered a front-runner and has barely registered on polls. His decision bodes well for Republicans already courting California voters.

Wilson was in Ohio yesterday celebrating his father's 97th birthday and was not available for interviews. Instead he issued the statement that detailed his accomplishments as governor, his regret about not being able to run for president in 2000 and his plans for the future.

Wilson did not mention Bush in the statement, but Wilson press secretary Sean Walsh called the Texas governor the "fresh interesting candidate on the national scene" and said Bush's popularity was a strong factor in Wilson's decision.

Wilson abandoned his 1996 presidential bid after one month in 1995.

"I think he learned in '96 just how big and complex this country is and how difficult it is to run for president," said Larry Thomas, a former Wilson press secretary.