ADVERTISEMENT

Murphy Hedges on 2020 White House Bid, Says He Has 'No Plans to Run'

March 5, 2018

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.) said Sunday that he has "no plans" to run for president in 2020 because he is focused on passing gun-control measures in the Senate.

MSNBC host Kasie Hunt asked Murphy in an interview whether he has any presidential ambitions after the two discussed gun violence extensively.

"Your national profile has risen in part because of your advocacy on this issue, but also for other reasons," Hunt said. "What are you thinking about for your own political future? Are you considering running for president in 2020?"

"I'm not thinking about running for president," Murphy replied. "My focus is on being a great senator, and I can't imagine leaving the Senate until I've gotten a victory on this issue of gun violence."

Murphy referred back to his swearing-in following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, and told Hunt he needs to deliver on gun control while he is still in the Senate.

"I was literally sworn into the United States Senate as these parents were still burying their children, and I feel like I was sent here in the Senate for a reason, to deliver on this issue, so I'm going keep working at it here," he said.

Hunt then asked Murphy again whether there is a chance he will run for president, leading the senator to stop short of saying he will definitely not run.

"I have absolutely no plans to run for president," he said.

Murphy has demanded Republicans go beyond fixing the federal background check system and consider banning so-called assault weapons.