Dr. Ben Carson, a favorite of the tea party and conservatives across the nation, who is based out of Florida, announced on Tuesday that he was launching an exploratory effort as he draws closer to running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Carson unveiled a Web video and site on Tuesday as he announced his latest efforts.
With the launch of this website, I formally establish what is called a presidential exploratory committee to examine whether I should become a candidate for president of the United States," Carson says in the video featured on his site. "In so doing, I very much need and look forward to your feedback and help."
Carson, a prominent neurosurgeon who entered the political realm in 2013, when he criticized President Barack Obamas federal health-care law at the National Prayer Breakfast, has increasingly shown signs of running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, winning applause from conservatives for his stances. After retiring from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, Carson -- who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor -- is now based out of West Palm Beach.
At the new site and in the video, Carson plays up his biography, pointing to his rise from poverty in Detroit.
"If I run for president, it will be because I know what it's like to grow up in a tough neighborhood and feel marginalized," Carson says in the video. "If I run, it will be because I know firsthand that quality education is the ladder to climb out of poverty and dependence."
So far in the early stages in the national polls and surveys of key primary states, Carson has generally been in the second tier of Republican candidates, placing ahead of several established politicians but, usually, behind the front-runners. In last weeks straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Carson placed fourth.
Carson is not the only Republican with ties to the Sunshine State looking at running for president in 2016. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., launched an exploratory bid in December. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is increasingly looking like a presidential candidate. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., moved to Florida after his 2008 presidential bid and has been looking at running again.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
