Advertisement

Warren Makes First Steps On Potential Senate Bid

04:49
Download Audio
Resume

Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren appears to be taking steps toward a challenge to U.S. Sen. Scott Brown in next year's election.

Warren has hired Gov. Deval Patrick's former campaign manager and a former aide. She has also been in contact with top state Democrats.

National Democrats desperate to find a strong challenger to take back the Massachusetts seat long held by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy have been urging Warren to run. At President Obama’s request last year, Warren set up a new consumer finance protection office.

In a posting on the Democratic blog Blue Mass Group, Warren writes about her middle-class upbringing and says she wants to hear ideas about how to improve Washington and the economy.

In the column, she seems to do more than hint at a candidacy.

“I left Washington, but I don’t plan to stop fighting for middle class families,” Warren wrote. “I spent years working against special interests and have the battle scars to show it and I have no intention of stopping now.”

WBUR’s Deborah Becker spoke with Democratic analyst Dan Payne about the possibility of a Warren bid for the Democratic nomination and how it would affect the Senate race.

"She and her advisers would not have issued this statement if she were not seriously thinking about [running]," Payne said. "It is the political equivalent of 'I might be pregnant.' "

Seven other Democrats are already in the Senate race in Massachusetts.

This program aired on August 12, 2011.

Headshot of Deborah Becker

Deborah Becker Host/Reporter
Deborah Becker is a senior correspondent and host at WBUR. Her reporting focuses on mental health, criminal justice and education.

More…

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close