Bloomberg registers as Democrat

Michael R. Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York, announced Wednesday that he has registered as a Democrat, a move certain to stoke further speculation about whether he intends to run for president in 2020.

Bloomberg, a former Republican and more recently declared political independent, announced his decision in an early morning Instagram post in which he referenced his speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

“At key points in U.S. history, one of the two parties has served as a bulwark against those who threaten our Constitution,” he wrote. “Two years ago at the Democratic Convention, I warned of those threats. Today, I have re-registered as a Democrat — I had been a member for most of my life — because we need Democrats to provide the checks and balance our nation so badly needs.”

Bloomberg has said he will “take a look” at a presidential campaign after the midterm elections. He has been working in recent months to solidify his ties to the Democratic Party. Last week, Bloomberg announced he would give $20 million to the main Democratic Senate super PAC.

The enormous sum brings Bloomberg — who has already pledged to spend $80 million to support Democratic congressional candidates — up to $100 million in spending commitments for the 2018 election cycle, firmly positioning himself in the Democratic camp as he contemplates a White House bid.