1. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson announces presidential bid
2. Carson and Trump have until March to launch third-party runs

A possible presidential candidate visited Tyler today as part as a national book tour.

Retired neurosurgeon and author Benjamin Carson was at Sam’s Club, where he met with fans and signed his newest book, “One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future.”

Carson rose to political prominence following his speech at a 2013 National Prayer Breakfast event. He has been critical of the nation’s direction regarding education, healthcare and debt. He said political correctness and a lack of meaningful policy discussions is the biggest danger to democracy.

Last Tuesday, Carson finished with 29 percent, 1 percentage point behind U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in a “presidential” straw poll. Carson has steadily climbed the depth chart for GOP hopefuls in 2016, but remains mum about his political intentions.

The book tour is building speculation and support among conservatives.

RunBenRun, a political action committee formed to “draft” Carson into campaigning for president, has raised more than $4 million and increased the doctor’s profile nationally.

Carson’s speeches focus on his own upbringing, his rise from poverty and on the belief that all Americans have more similarities than differences and that policy solutions are attainable because the nation is filled with problem-solvers.

“One Nation” tackles topics including education, health care, family values, race relations, taxes, charity, and the role of faith in public life.