Starbucks CEO puts presidency rumors to bed

He says his friends have been pushing him to throw his hat in the political ring, but Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz will not be running for president.

Schultz wrote an op-en in The New York Times on Thursday.

Despite the encouragement of others, I have no intention of entering the presidential fray. I’m not done serving at Starbucks. Although we have built an iconic brand while providing even part-time employees with access to health care, free college education and stock options, there is more we can do as a public company to demonstrate responsible leadership.

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While he won’t be the president, Schultz said a lot about this country needs to change. He’s discouraged when he hears from his customers that the opportunity to climb the ladder has greatly diminished.

“Anxiety, not optimism, rules the day,” Schultz wrote.

The Starbucks CEO said it’s time to put party rivalries aside to focus on reuniting this country.

KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross said he’d also like to see a candidate who has a son or daughter in the military &#8212 someone with some skin in the game.