A family friend of Harlan Montgomery, the former governor of West Virginia known as “Big H,” said Montgomery is considering a run for president against incumbent President Paletuatoa Peniamina.

The claim was made in a press release and did not include a timetable for a decision, a party designation, campaign staff, or details about a potential platform. Montgomery has not formally announced a presidential campaign.

According to the release, Montgomery has frequently argued that Peniamina is “far too liberal.” The statement places Montgomery among potential critics of the president at a time when national politics remain sharply divided and issues including cost of living, immigration and executive authority carry high public attention.

Montgomery built his political profile in West Virginia as a businessman-turned-public official with ties to the state’s coal and agricultural communities. His public record, as described in his biography, has combined support for miners, farmers and tradespeople with backing for early childhood education, clean-energy job transitions and rural broadband expansion.

That mix has at times put him at odds with political factions on both the left and right. His biography describes him as a conservative with a focus on local economic development and skepticism toward outside interests that do not reinvest in West Virginia communities.

Known for a direct, constituent-focused governing style, Montgomery has held town halls in community settings including feed stores, VFW halls and county fairs. He has also drawn attention for supporting universal pre-K, including a floor speech related to the issue in neighboring Indiana.

The press release did not say whether Montgomery has taken formal steps toward a national campaign or whether he has consulted party officials, donors or potential supporters. It also did not identify the family friend who provided the information.

Any prospective challenge would unfold in a national environment where voters are closely focused on economic pressures, border policy, institutional stability and the scope of presidential power. For now, Montgomery’s possible candidacy remains under consideration, according to the release, rather than a declared campaign.