Al Gore, a convention no-show, endorses Hillary Clinton
PHILADELPHIA — Former Vice President Al Gore pledged his support for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Monday despite having no plans to attend the Democratic National Convention, which kicked off the same day.
Gore, a Tennessee superdelegate who did not endorse a candidate during the recent Democratic primary, announced in a statement that he will vote for Clinton in the November race against Republican Donald Trump.
“I am not able to attend this year’s Democratic convention, but I will be voting for Hillary Clinton,” Gore said in the statement. "Given her qualification and experience — and given the significant challenges facing our nation and the world, including, especially, the global climate crisis — I encourage everyone else to do the same.”
Gore’s pledge of support for Clinton came one day after the Tennessean reported that Gore would not be attending this year’s DNC convention in Philadelphia. He did not attend the 2012 convention either after making speaking appearances at both the 2008 and 2004 conventions.
A spokeswoman for Gore has said the former vice president has “obligations in Tennessee” that have prevented him from being able to attend the convention. She declined to comment on what they are.
Gore, who served as vice president under President Bill Clinton, husband of Hillary Clinton, ran unsuccessfully for president in 2000. A former U.S. senator from Tennessee, Gore still maintains a home and office in Nashville.
In recent years, Gore has become less active on the national political scene as he’s turned his attention to environmental causes.
More from the DNC in Philadelphia
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- Al Gore to skip Democratic National Convention
- Bernie Sanders to address convention amid drama over leaked emails
- Wasserman Schultz resignation won't hinder convention, delegates say
- Memphis lawmaker to speak at Democratic National Convention
- Mayors remain source of strength for Tennessee Democrats
Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.