WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. businessman and former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg filed paperwork Tuesday to join the Democratic presidential primary in the U.S. state of Arkansas.
"Officially filed in Arkansas to be on the ballot for the Democratic primary," the billionaire Republican-turned-Democrat tweeted. "We must defeat Trump. He has failed us at every turn."
Speaking to reporters at the White House last Friday, Trump boasted he can easily beat Bloomberg, although the latter has yet to make a formal announcement of a presidential campaign. Trump said he expected the former mayor of his hometown to "spend a lot of money" on a campaign, while teasing at him saying he "doesn't have the magic to do well."
Reports of Bloomberg's intention to join the presidential race emerged as his adviser, Howard Wolfson, wrote a series of tweets last Thursday, one of which read: "We now need to finish the job and ensure that Trump is defeated--but Mike is increasingly concerned that the current--field of candidates is not well positioned to do that."
Bloomberg's registration for ballot in Arkansas, together with a similar move last Friday qualifying himself for the primary in Alabama, didn't necessarily mean he will launch a presidential campaign. Yet, the New York Times reported Tuesday that people close to Bloomberg "believe his mind is all but made up" for a bid for the presidency.
As the owner of Bloomberg News with a net worth estimated by Forbes of 52 billion U.S. dollars, Bloomberg considered running for president earlier this year, and eventually gave up the idea reportedly partly due to Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's strength.
The moderate Biden has not gained momentum so far as quickly as some Democrats have expected. It is believed to be the main reason to compel Bloomberg to enter the race. Also as a moderate, Bloomberg is perceived as friendlier to business than progressive-leaning Democratic contenders.
Two prominent intraparty competitors of Biden's, Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, responded last Thursday to Bloomberg's move in the race.
"The billionaire class is scared and they should be scared," Sanders wrote on Twitter.
"Welcome to the race, @MikeBloomberg! If you're looking for policy plans that will make a huge difference for working people and which are very popular, start here," Warren tweeted, linking the post to a tax "calculator for the billionaires" on her website.
Primaries in Alabama and Arkansas are both scheduled for March 3.
