Former Starbucks CEO suspends presidential campaign — at least for now

Howard Schultz has put the pause button on his run for the presidency, citing a bad back.

The coffee billionaireannounced a potential run the presidency at the beginning of this year, saying he wouldoffer a centrist alternative to the Democratic and Republican party. While his candidacy initially attracted lots of media attention, it also generated some controversy. 

Democrats criticized him, saying his potential run could cut into  their chances of defeating President Trump in 2020. But in news first reported by Huffington Post,  Schultz told his staff   that, due to back surgery, he will be suspending his potential attempt at the White House.

Schultz sent a “Summer Update” email to supporters on Wednesday, according to the report,  saying that medical reasons had taken him out of commission for months, and that his recovery is still ongoing.

“While I was in Arizona, I unfortunately experienced acute back pain that required me to cut my travels short,” he wrote. “Over the following two months, I underwent three separate back surgeries. Today, I am feeling much better, and my doctors foresee a full recovery so long as I rest and rehabilitate. I have decided to take the summer to do just that.”