Trump announces exploratory committee

Alison Storm

Billionaire Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is forming an exploratory committee to decide whether he will make an attempt at the Reform Party nomination for president.

In a Thursday night interview with talk show host Larry King, Trump said he will make his final decision in January or February, but he doesn’t believe he would have much competition for the Reform Party nomination.

John Wodele, spokesperson for Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, also a Reform Party member, said the governor will be supportive of any potential candidate.

“He encourages Mr. Trump and anyone else who is interested in running for president in the Reform Party to explore the opportunity,” Wodele said.

Republican Pat Buchanan is rumored to be heading to the Reform Party, and there has been speculation that actor Warren Beatty or Ventura himself may run for the ticket.

Wodele hinted at who Ventura might support.

“Based on what he has said in the past, the governor is intrigued by Trump and skeptical of Buchanan,” Wodele said. “However, the governor has not endorsed a candidate and will not until sometime next year.”

Bettie Emery, state treasurer for the Iowa Reform Party, said Trump would probably have a better shot at the nomination than Buchanan.

Emery said a positive about Trump is that he would draw more attention to the Reform Party. “I definitely want the Reform Party to advance,” she said.

The Iowa Reform Party will hold its state convention Oct. 16 in Ames. More than 1,000 party members will cast votes to decide the party’s endorsement for the 2000 presidential election.

Like Buchanan, Trump is a registered Republican. Trump has said in previous interviews that he is supportive of major tax cuts, abortion rights and across-the-board health care. He does not support gun control.

Charlie Major, secretary of the Reform Party and national committee member, said he’s hesitant about jumping on the Trump bandwagon.

“I welcome everything,” said Major. “I’m a little leery of [Trump] because I don’t know anything about him. If you don’t have an agenda that’s not good, and right now Donald Trump doesn’t have an agenda.”