Bloomberg news: Michael Bloomberg launches presidential campaign in Alabama

Brian Lyman | Montgomery Advertiser

MONTGOMERY — Presidential candidates rarely begin their campaigns in Alabama, but in Michael Bloomberg's case, the calendar forced him to do so.

The former New York City mayor Friday filed to run in the Democratic presidential primary in March, marking a late entry into an already crowded field. Friday was the deadline for Democratic candidates to qualify.

Bloomberg, 77, made his fortune selling terminals to investment firms and other businesses that provided data on a host of items, and later founded Bloomberg News. Forbes estimates his personal wealth at $57 billion.

He served as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013. Bloomberg is in the mainstream of his party on social issues like abortion, LGBTQ rights, and climate change. He has become an outspoken proponent of stricter gun control laws. Economically, Bloomberg sits on his party’s right wing, and clashed with city unions during his time as mayor.

To get on the Alabama Democratic presidential ballot, candidates must gather signatures from 500 registered voters or at least 50 voters from each of the state’s 7 congressional districts. Applicants must also pay a $2,500 filing fee.

Representatives of Bloomberg arrived at Alabama Democratic Party headquarters shortly after 4 p.m. on Friday. He qualified just before 4:30 p.m. Bloomberg's representatives declined comment as they left the building.

The primary is March 3. Several present and former Democratic candidates have visited Alabama in the last year, often speaking to African-American groups that represent a large portion of the state Democratic electorate. Former Vice President Joe Biden visited Birmingham in September. U.S. Sens Bernie Sanders of Vermont; Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have visited the River Region this year.

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas visited Montgomery last month, shortly before dropping out of the race.

Several other presidential candidates also qualified for the primary on Friday, including Biden, Booker, businessman Andrew Yang; former U.S. Reps. John Delaney of Maryland and Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania; and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro.

Three Republicans qualified to run in March's GOP primary: President Donald Trump; former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, and Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente, a perpetual candidate.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman at 334-240-0185 or blyman@gannett.com.