Gov. Celeste Won’t Enter Race

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Richard F. Celeste, saying he did not have the money, announced today that he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination because he believes it is too late for him to enter the 1988 race.

At a news conference at the Governor’s Mansion, Celeste said that in his initial forays into Iowa and in discussions with political leaders, he found he did not have the money or name recognition to launch a candidacy now. His chances have been played down since June, when the Plain Dealer reported that Celeste aides were concerned about three extramarital affairs the governor allegedly had in the last decade.