U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced Monday that she’s formed an exploratory committee ahead of an expected 2020 presidential run.
The decision makes the Massachusetts Democrat the highest-profile person to announce plans for a run amid what is expected to become a crowded field of candidates vying for the Oval Office, The Washington Post reported.
“Every person in America should be able to work hard, play by the same set of rules & take care of themselves & the people they love,” Warren said in a tweet Monday morning. “That’s what I’m fighting for, & that’s why I’m launching an exploratory committee for president.”
In an email to supporters obtained by The Associated Press, Warren said she'd announce a more formal campaign plan early in 2019.
The formation of a presidential exploratory committee legally allows a potential candidate to begin raising money for a run, according to the AP.
Warren quickly became one of the Democratic party’s more prominent liberals after she burst onto the national scene a decade ago.
She’s been a frequent target for President Donald Trump, who refers to the senator as "Pocahontas." The nickname is a jab at Warren’s claims to Native American ancestry, an assertion she attempted to bolster earlier this year with the release of a DNA test that purportedly supported her claim. The move was widely panned, with critics accusing Warren of mistaking DNA with identity.
As of Monday, at least two other people have indicated plans to run for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to the AP.
Former Obama housing chief Julian Castro announced the launch of a presidential exploratory committee in mid-December.
Outgoing Maryland Rep. John Delaney announced in July 2017 that he was running for president.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
About the Author
