Dear Commons Community,

Michael Bloomberg announced on Instagram and Twitter  this morning that he had re-registered as a Democrat, in a sign that the former New York City mayor could be seriously considering a presidential bid in 2020.

“At key points in U.S. history, one of the two parties has served as a bulwark against those who threaten our Constitution. Two years ago at the Democratic Convention, I warned of those threats,” Bloomberg said.

“Today, I have re-registered as a Democrat — I had been a member for most of my life — because we need Democrats to provide the checks and balance our nation so badly needs,” he added.

Bloomberg had been a Democrat prior to his initial mayoral run in 2001, when he became, and was elected as, a Republican. He was re-elected in 2005 as a Republican, but then became an independent in 2007 and was re-elected to a third term in 2009 as an independent.

He spoke in support of Hillary Clinton at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Bloomberg flirted with presidential runs in 2008, 2012, and 2016, but ultimately decided not to jump in each time.

Last month, The New York Times and The Times of London both reported that Bloomberg, 76, was seriously considering running for president in 2020 as a Democrat.

The former mayor, who previously made a fortune as the founder of media and finance company Bloomberg LP, pledged earlier this year to spend $80 million on efforts to help flip the House for the Democrats.

Welcome Mr. Bloomberg to presidential politics.  It will not be an easy road.

Tony