Former Governor Deval Patrick Seems Uninterested in Being Clinton's VP

List of running mates for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton dwindling

ByABC News
May 19, 2016, 11:46 AM

— -- The list of potential running mates for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton is slowly getting shorter.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who left office just last year after serving for eight years, was rumored to be on that list.

Patrick did not directly respond to the potential nod, but told ABC News that he is very busy working on a new business venture. “I am in the midst of launching a new business and trying my level best to give it my concentrated attention," Patrick said. "I hope you will understand."

Patrick joined the Boston office of private asset investment firm, Bain Capital, in April of last year as a managing director of the Double Impact business. He said the role requires him to spend substantial time fundraising for new ventures in the "impact investment" realm, which is focused on projects that can generate social or environmental change in a profitable way. He will be focused on raising capital for these projects this summer, particularly in his areas of interest in environmental impact, health and wellness.

A close aide to the former governor says that he is unaware if the Clinton campaign has contacted Patrick but assures ABC News that the former governor is absolutely not interested in being a vice president. He is instead primarily focused on building his business.

Patrick has not made any official comment.