Governor Preparing To Speak Wednesday At RNC In Cleveland
Monday, July 18, 2016, 11:45am
(AP)---Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he won't run for president again as a sitting governor, like he did last year.
Walker told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland that if he runs for re-election in 2018 and wins, he would serve a four-year term. That would seem to preclude a second presidential run in 2020.
"If I run again in 2018, it would be to serve a full term and not to run for another office," he said.
But Walker has stoked talk of him laying the groundwork for a future presidential run by meeting in Cleveland with delegates from early presidential voting states. He attended a breakfast with the Iowa delegation on Monday.
Walker also told the AP that "fears and concerns" about Democrat Hillary Clinton "are the most compelling things" that will unite Republicans behind Donald Trump.
The central theme of his speech at the Republican National Convention there on Wednesday night will be that "America deserves better" than Clinton.
Walker has been a reluctant supporter of Trump, having urged his defeat after dropping out of the presidential race in September and endorsing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in Wisconsin's primary. Walker said Monday that his concerns about Trump have been gradually easing.
He said he is "thrilled" with Trump's selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate. Walker says that shows Trump is serious about governing.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2016, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.