Former Starbucks CEO May Be Running for President

Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, may be the next person to run for the president of the United States.

The former leader of the coffee giant has put together an elite public relations team as he prepares to release his new book and considers running for presidency in 2020.

On Schult’z team is a man named Steve Schmidt, who was the former vice chairman at public relations company Edelman. Schmidt had managed Republican Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008. He is also a political analyst for MSNBC and has left the Republican party this year.

“Mr. Schultz has known Mr. Schmidt for a number of years through his work at Edelman,” Schultz’s spokeswoman said to CNBC. “Mr. Schultz values Steve’s insights and they have stayed in touch,” she added.

“I certainly believe in the abstract people coming from the business into politics, particularly a run for president, they need someone around them. They need to have people familiar to them to help them,” remarked Thomas Rath, a New Hampshire Republican operative.

“Others like Schmidt would be invaluable. Steve has seen so much. He would have a sense as to what the calendar means,” Rath said. “He would know how to hunt delegates and a keen sense as to how best to raising money.”

Disclaimer: We have no position in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) and have not been compensated for this article.