Howard Schultz Independent Presidential Bid: WA Dems Say 'Don't'

SEATTLE, WA - Word has leaked in recent days that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz might run for president in 2020 as an independent. But Washington state Democratic party chair Tina Podlodowski would really prefer him not to.

"Just. Don't," she said Friday in a press release sent out by the Washington State Democratic Party .

Schultz said he might run for president after he stepped down as Starbucks CEO last year. But at the time he also disagreed with some Democratic proposals like universal healthcare and guaranteed minimum income. Keep in mind, this was before the election of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who has made such proposals very mainstream.

Only in recent days have Schultz aides told reporters that he might run as an independent. The aides told CNN, however, "all options are on the table" - meaning Schultz might run as a traditional party candidate.

"You claim you're a lifelong Democrat, so if you want to run, run as a Democrat," Podlodowskiadvised. "Invest in the Party's infrastructure so that we can win the White House and the Senate and expand our majority in the House. You can even start at home, with the Washington State Democratic Party."

If Schultz runs at all, he'll be the second from Washington aiming to unseat Donald Trump. Gov. Jay Inslee was in New Hampshire - a key primary state - on Tuesday, although he hasn't formally announced he's running for president.

In this March 18, 2015, file photo, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the coffee company's annual shareholders meeting in Seattle.

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File