Billionaire media mogul Oprah Winfrey said Thursday her campaign appearance on behalf of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D.) was not part of an effort to test the waters for a political office run herself, saying "I don't want to run."
Winfrey spoke in the suburban Atlanta city of Marietta at a rally for Abrams, who is trying to pull of an upset and become the first black female governor in U.S. history. Polls show her in a tight race with Republican Brian Kemp in a state that hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1998.
Winfrey called on Abrams' supporters to get out the vote and also addressed the political elephant in the room: rumors that she may run for president.
"I'm here because I want you to remind others of the power, and I want to make it very clear to all the press, everybody. I'm not here because I'm making some grandstand, because I'm thinking about running myself. I don't want to run," she said, emphasizing the last five words.
"I'm not trying to test any waters," she added. "I don't want to go in those waters. I'm here today because of Stacey Abrams."
Winfrey's name was thrown around as a potential 2020 contender following a well-received speech she gave at January's Golden Globes. CNN's Brian Stelter called the address "downright presidential" and praised her "deep well of charisma" while reporting on the possibility.
She said in February she was not running for public office. Her friend, CBS morning anchor Gayle King, has continued to encourage her to seek office.