Bloomberg would refuse presidential pay and donations

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg will not accept political donations if he runs for president and he will not take a salary if he wins.

Michael Bloomberg speaks at the Christian Cultural CentrE in New York City this week. Picture: AFP

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg will not accept political donations if he runs for president and he will not take a salary if he wins, according to senior aides.

“He has never taken a political contribution in his life. He is not about to start,” Bloomberg chief adviser Howard Wolfson said. “He cannot be bought.”

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The former New York mayor is showing every indication of wanting to enter the crowded Democratic presidential primary election. In recent days, he has created a presidential campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission and qualified for the primary ballot in at least three states.

Mr Bloomberg’s team has reserved more than $US30m ($44m) in television ads set to begin running on Sunday (Monday AEDT) in several primary states. The moves reflect his concern the Democratic field has no one up to defeating Donald Trump in 2020.

Reports indicate Michael Bloomberg, the former New York mayor, is considering entering the crowded Democratic presidential primary race. Picture: AFP

Mr Bloomberg’s wealth has already emerged as a central issue.

His Democratic rivals pounced on news of Mr Bloomberg’s massive television ad buy, in addition to his decision to bypass the first four states on the presidential primary calendar — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — in favour of focusing on the many states that hold primary contests in March.

“I’m disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections,” Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders tweeted on Twitter. “If you can’t build grassroots support for your candidacy, you have no business running for president.”

Mr Bloomberg’s team insists that his wealth allows him to be more responsive to the concerns of everyday people because he isn’t beholden to special interests. Mr Wolfson said Mr Bloomberg would work for only $1 a year as president, just as he did when he was New York mayor for more than a decade.

Mr Bloomberg’s message on money is much the same one employed by Mr Trump in his 2016 campaign, although the President ultimately accepted millions in donations.

Mr Trump donates his salary each quarter to different departments of the federal government.

AP