Sen. Kerry Won’t Make Democratic Bid for President

Conceding that he might damage his party’s chances to win the presidency if he were to run, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) said Friday he will skip the 2000 presidential race.

“My heart loves the battle. My heart loves these issues. My heart said, go out and fight for these things. My head said, the day after I make an announcement, I have to raise an exorbitant amount of money and do it all in 10 months,” Kerry said at a news conference Friday.

The decision not to challenge front-runner Vice President Al Gore for the Democratic nomination leaves former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey as Gore’s only declared competitor so far.

Kerry’s decision could attract others to the field, such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Among other prominent Democrats who have decided against a run are Sens. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska and Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, and House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri.

Kerry, 55, said he will eventually endorse one of the Democrats, but he declined to do that Friday.

Kerry, a three-term senator, had complained about the need to raise more than $20 million to campaign. His wife, Teresa Heinz, widow of Sen. John Heinz (R-Pa.), is a multimillionaire, but Kerry said Friday that he and his wife had decided it would be “inappropriate” to use their own money.

Locals were disappointed but not surprised. “The enormity of the task probably has to put a chill into anyone,” said state House Speaker Thomas Finneran (D-Boston).

Many key supporters and fund-raisers were reportedly already committed to Gore.