California Governor Jerry Brown says he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
Speaking at a Tuesday news conference in Riverside, Calif., Brown scuttled speculation about his presidential prospects when a reporter asked if he planned to throw his hat in the ring for a fourth time.
"No, that's not in the cards. Unfortunately," Brown said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Actually, California is a lot more governable."
Supporters of Brown -- who ran for the Democratic nomination in 1976, 1980 and 1992 -- had hoped the popular governor would enter the 2016 race. Brown stoked speculation by not explicitly ruling out the possibility, although in May the 75-year-old noted that "time is kind of running out on that."
Brown, who last week proposed a record $106.8 billion budget for the Golden State, has yet to decide whether he will run for a fourth term in the statehouse this year, although he is widely expected to do so.
Polls show Brown coasting to victory in a potential reelection bid. As of early January, Brown had raised close to $17 million for a reelection campaign.
