Bloomberg Files Papers With the FEC to Run

The paperwork Michael Bloomberg filed paperwork Thursday with the FEC says he's a Democratic candidate for president. But his aides, again, said not so fast. Bloomberg had to take this step within 15 days of putting himself on the Arkansas and Alabama primary ballots earlier this month, CBS News reports. Aides said then that Bloomberg was moving toward running but not announcing. Thursday's filing also is a step toward becoming a candidate, one said, "but not a final decision or announcement." On Wednesday, Bloomberg filed for the Texas primary.

Bloomberg has been quickly rebuilding his campaign organization after deciding against running in March, per the Washington Post. He's leaving the early primaries and caucuses to the other candidates while concentrating on large states. The multibillionaire is spending at least $115 million on voter registration and ads in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states that will be key in the general election, aiming those efforts at President Trump. In addition to having been the mayor of New York, Bloomberg has worked with officials and other leaders on causes, some of them philanthropic. Supporters say he'll tap those relationships. "Mike can uniquely build a robust infrastructure across the country, fueled by activists who have worked on issues with Mike for literally decades," one said. (More Michael Bloomberg stories.)