Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is considering challenging Donald Trump in the 2020 election as an independent presidential candidate.

Schultz, a Democrat and successful businessman, could be a contender Trump.

A source close to Schultz's advisers told CNN they 'are exploring a possible independent bid for the presidency in 2020.' However, all options remain on the table.

'Schultz is thinking deeply about his future and how he can best serve the country,' the person said.

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is eyeing a potential presidential run under the Democratic ticket in 2020

Schultz stepped down from his position at Starbucks last year and said at the time he was considering a White House bid, according to CNN.

The former CEO may be weighing up an independent run as he's been a vocal critic of both sides of the political aisle.

Schultz attacked Trump for his 'vitriolic behavior'.

Speaking on CNBC last June he said, 'President Trump has given license to the fact that someone who is not a politician could potentially run for the presidency.'

Schultz also criticized the Democrats for their proposals, such as the single-payer health care and guaranteed income schemes, which he believed were too left-wing.

Late last year, Schultz, began assembling a crack PR-team, including the campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential run, for his potential presidential run.

He brought on board Steve Schmidt, a former vice chairman at public relations powerhouse Edelman, who previously managed the late Republican Senator McCain's presidential campaign.

Cheryl Cook, a longtime executive vice president at Edelman, is representing Schultz currently and will remain on board through his book tour.

Meanwhile, Schultz has hired another adviser, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, who he worked with throughout his tenure at Starbucks.

Chandrasekaran was previously a senior correspondent at The Washington Post.

Political pundits say the public relations and advisory team Schultz has brought on is a signal that he is a sure sign he will run despite that he has yet to visit the places like Iowa and New Hampshire, where potential candidates have already begun campaigning in.

Schultz, 65, stepped down as Starbucks CEO in 2017, though he remains chairman emeritus. He has an estimated net worth of about $3.3 billion, according to Forbes.

However, the possibility he might run is not playing well with Democrats in his home state.

'I have two words for Howard Schultz on a potential run for president as an independent: Just. Don't,' said Tina Podlodowski, chairwoman of the Washington Democratic Party, in a statement, the Seattle Times reported .

'Too much is at stake to make this about the ambitions of any one person,' she said. 'The 2020 race for President has to be about relegating Donald Trump to the dustbin of history, and reclaiming the Oval Office for our people and our future.'

Democrats fear an independent candidacy might split the anti-Trump vote in 2020 and secure Trump's re-election.

Democrats in Schultz's home state are urging him to run as a Democrat, not as an independent

Podlodowski said Schultz has claimed to be a lifelong Democrat and should run as one if he's interested in an office.

'You can even start at home, with the Washington State Democratic Party,' she said.

Schultz has not cultivated substantial political connections in his home state.

Schultz for years has hinted that he might want to enter politics as a centrist problem solver. He's promoting a new book, 'From the Ground UP: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America.' It will be released January 28.

Meanwhile, the Democratic field appears to be ever-widening. On Monday, California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris announced she would enter the race.

Another billionaire businessman, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has also said he is considering a bid as well but has said that he would run as a Democrat, believing it unlikely that an independent candidate could succeed.

During the 2016 election, third party and independent candidates failed to break out and no independent candidate has broken into the double digits since businessman Ross Perot won nearly 20% of the popular vote in 1992