Ben Carson Officially Announces Plans for Presidential Run, Says He's a 'Reluctant Warrior'

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson officially announced this week that he plans to run in the 2016 presidential election.

Carson first made his announcement to Jeff Barnd of WKRC Cincinnati on Sunday, describing himself as a "reluctant warrior" willing to answer God's call to run for president.

"I'm willing to be part of the equation and therefore, I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States of America," Carson told Barnd.

The retired neurosurgeon also took the stage at Detroit's Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts on Monday morning to announce his candidacy, saying: "I'm Ben Carson and I'm a candidate for president of the United States."

According to USA Today, Carson chose Detroit, Michigan as the city where he would announce his presidential plans, as that is the city where he grew up. Carson kicked off Monday morning with a prayer breakfast with local pastors before making his big announcement.

The 2016 presidential hopeful has continued to express his interest in following the U.S. Constitution and God's plan for America, should he be elected to office.

"I'm not even asking people to vote for me. I'm just asking people to listen," he said during his Monday morning announcement, adding that "the real pedigree we need to heal this country is someone who believes in our constitution."

In late 2014, Carson released a 40-minute advertisement, described by his camp as a documentary, meant to introduce the retired neurosurgeon to the American public in what was believed to be the first steps in the plan to run for president. The advertisement was entitled "A Breath of Fresh Air: A New Prescription for America."