Evan McMullin is set to run in US presidential election, sources say

Evan McMullin, former CIA man, set to run

Evan McMullin, a former CIA employee who has also worked for Goldman Sachs, is also the former chief policy director for the House Republican Conference, is reported to be launching an independent presidential bid, in an effort to undermine his own party's noninee Donald Trump.

'NeverTrump' Republicans have been talking up the possibility of putting forward an independent candidate and many who thought it might be Governor John Kasich have been surprised at the announcement. McMullin has not had a high profile, boasting only 135 Twitter followers until now. As this was writen the number of followers had risen to 16,000 and counting. McMullin's Twitter profile reads: " Standing up to run for president because it's never too late to do the right thing."

In a statement to ABC News McMullin said: "In a year where Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties, it's time for a generation of new leadership to step up. It's never too late to do the right thing, and America deserves much better than either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton can offer us. I humbly offer myself as a leader who can give millions of disaffected Americans a conservative choice for President."

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough tweeted that Evan McMullin "has the backing of key $$ contributors in the Republican Party." McMullin will be unable to stand in many States due to local election rules, but could get on the ballot in 20 to 30 States.

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