Elizabeth Warren To Announce Senate Run Wednesday

WASHINGTON -- Consumer advocate and former White House official Elizabeth Warren will announce on Wednesday that she is running for the United States Senate seat currently held by Scott Brown (R-Mass.), a close source tells The Huffington Post.

The announcement will not come as a surprise; Warren has spent the last few weeks traveling across Massachusetts and speaking at several high-profile political events as part of a statewide listening tour. Still, her formal entrance into the race is likely to be cheered by progressives and national Democrats alike, as Warren is both beloved by the base and represents one of the party's best chances to unseat Brown.

“The pressures on middle class families are worse than ever, but it is the big corporations that get their way in Washington,” said Warren, in a statement obtained by The Huffington Post. “I want to change that. I will work my heart out to earn the trust of the people of Massachusetts.”

The consumer advocate will be spending the day tomorrow greeting commuters in Boston, before travelling to New Bedford, Framingham, Worcester, and Springfield. She has already picked up an endorsement from a prominent nurses union in the state and has been informally courted by other unions.

National Democrats are wary of saying much, if anything, about her candidacy, lest they give off the impression that they are meddling in a state primary. But it has been apparent for some time now that party officials view her as a more formidable candidate than Brown's other prospective challengers, including Newton Mayor Setti Warren, social entrepreneur Alan Khazei and state Rep. Thomas Conroy.

One recent poll had Warren trailing Brown by just nine percentage points, with more than a year remaining before the election.

UPDATE: 6:50 p.m. -- In response to the news about Warren's candidacy, Khazei released the following statement:

I welcome Elizabeth Warren into the race and believe that competition is good for the Democratic Party and the Commonwealth. Over the next year we will have a full and thoughtful debate, and ultimately the voters will decide who will be the most effective Senator.

"I have spent my life working in communities to create opportunities and jobs from the ground up, and if elected to the Senate, I will fight to empower people and deliver results for Massachusetts families who want their government to work for them again.

Comments

[shirllewis15]

02:03 AM on 10/08/2011

E W WARRWEN IS SOI MUCH SMARWE THAN AHAT MASS GUY!!

[EdNeedham]

12:10 PM on 09/18/2011

Before Elizabeth Warren announced her Senate campaign, she was within 9 points of Scott Brown. Granted, polling has it's limitations, especially this far out. Still, it carries sobering gravity for the Brown campaign and reflects a coming together of dynamics for the widely-respected, consumer advocate.
Many political observers have edged towards stating the race is hers to lose. We aren't hedging our bets, she will beat Scott Brown. Here's why:
http://democratdeal.blogspot.com/2011/09/lioness-in-senate-why-elizabeth-warren.html

[heartsmindsvision]

08:40 PM on 09/14/2011

Ms. Warren, yes, you have the intelligen­ce, determinat­ion and incorrupti­bility to go head to head with immensely powerful will power with the good people behind you to win the election for a senate seat in the United States government­. Do not in any way think of yourself as not qualified for you are so highly recommende­d by the people because of your qualities of intellect, caring and love for this nation. Power of the people, justice for the people and determinat­ion by the people to bring freedom and equality by your presence in the government of the United States of America will give creditably to our nation that we need. Yes Ms. Warren you will be elected to the senate and from there you will be the next president in 2016.

[rolor]

05:14 PM on 09/14/2011

Funny how Democrat support comes from "corrupt unions" while Republican support comes from "benevolent people corporations".

[Cathrine Tuck]

04:15 PM on 09/14/2011

Elizabeth Warren for President!!!

[dblshell]

03:07 PM on 09/14/2011

Ms. Warren seems to have grasped something that her fellow democrats have not...

STAND BY YOUR CONVICTIONS.

Once you start playing to the middle, you're finished.

They will mug you and drag your carcass to the other side of the road.

Just ask our president.

[jmarworth]

12:38 PM on 09/14/2011

Hello People of Massachusetts: A vote for Elizabeth Warren is a vote for big government. She
has plainly stated that she favors more government intervention in the economy and in the lives
of all Americans. She talks like a socialist. So - beware.

[aforbes808]

12:56 PM on 09/14/2011

Yeah, socialism! Bullworth for President!

[pangai]

11:19 AM on 09/14/2011

Running a campaign is an expensive proposition. It will be interesting to see who backs Warren with regard to finances. For example, Ralph Nader has been a consumer advocate for over 50 years and he could never be backed by one of the two major political parties and he had a tough time raising money. Will she be the party of the unions? Will she be backed by special interests groups? I have no idea, but whoever backs her financially will be the central topic of her opponents' strategy.

[giftsthatpurr]

11:52 AM on 09/14/2011

Mmmm, but we KNOW who'll be backing her opponent.

[pangai]

02:12 AM on 09/15/2011

You may be right, then it may become a question of who is backing who (poor grammar, I know). For example, if she is backed by all the labor unions, then the line in the sand will be drawn.

[connolly58]

10:33 PM on 09/14/2011

Ralph never wanted to be backed by either of the political parties for good reason. I fear that unless Warren is firm and open about the lines she will draw in the sand about who she will accept money from, she will be compromised and everyone will wonder why the elected Elizabeth Warren is not the same one we knew before.

[pangai]

02:10 AM on 09/15/2011

Very astute observations

[red clavier]

10:55 AM on 09/14/2011

Lots of people posting here who are not from Mass.
Right now she is not running against Scott Brown.
She is untested politically and will run in a Democratic primary.
Politics around here ain't beanbag.
Lets see if she can even get out of the primary.

[Joe Friday]

10:41 AM on 09/14/2011

A shopper vs a leader. Massachusetts has vetted Scott and they found they liked him better than a Lib. This new Lib has less experience, less political savvy and is a rejected Democrat political hack! 2012 is shaping up to be a November 2010 on steroids! The Tea People are reshaping America, as they promised!

[DaveInWheaton]

10:57 AM on 09/14/2011

"The Tea People are reshaping America" further towards 3rd world status.

[Joe Friday]

01:15 PM on 09/14/2011

Libinweaton ... I smell the fear of the tea party on your Liberal bad breath!

[treasuredtrophie]

01:21 PM on 09/14/2011

That puppy hasmore sense than you do. If yo can blame a party which has been around for a couple years. Shame we let you even vote. Of course you could be using a prison computer.

[aforbes808]

01:02 PM on 09/14/2011

"Rejected Democrat political hack"? Oh, you mean by the righteous right, not anyone with critical thinking skills. Sorry, to disappoint you, but MA is full of deep thinkers who are probably laughing at your post. The TP should go to MA and learn the history of the "Boston Tea Party". They obviously don't have a clue. As for reshaping, more like flushing America down the toilet.

[Joe Friday]

01:18 PM on 09/14/2011

Acorn808 John (I fought in Vietnam) comes to mind as a Mass critical thinking Lib! WOW!!

[treasuredtrophie]

01:23 PM on 09/14/2011

Another free loader I guess.

[Netta Chinn]

10:08 AM on 09/14/2011

^ Be Gone Mr. Scott Brown - you are a bought man by the big corporations, that wants a worker to work till their hands fall off, while the corporation reaps the richs but doesn’t want to pay out medical benefits/premiums to individuals that have made the corporation rich. Does Scott think the American people can’t read between the lines and realize, that Scotts passion to get rid of unions is spear headed by big corporation $$, that funded Scotts campaign into office, who's your Daddy Scott Brown? They are trying to force/mandate individuals to pay into their own medical insurance/retirement plan OVER NIGHT (while working Americans can barely pay their mortgages let alone extras ) and using the excuse that the state is broke/running out of money bc of pensions. Solution – Find a way to bring revenue into the state, raise the costs of DL fees and anything to do with public recreation/costs (find a solution, that’s what your job is Scott, not to cut peoples pensions after they’ve worked 40 years) Scott Brown and minds alike have no compassion for the everyday working American making 30K or below with 5 mouths to feed... Scotts people expect these families to max out their salary to pay into retirement/401K during these hard times? Seriously, get in your knees Scott Brown and ask HIM for some compassion into your Christian heart, you’re going to need it on that great day!

[tbmuscg70]

12:47 PM on 09/14/2011

The unions are viewed unfavorably by the majority of Americans, including a lot of union employees. A lot of union workers are really conflicted about their status as union members. On one hand, their artifically inflated wage is that way because the union has made that possible. On the other hand, they get tired of seeing their dues go toward horrible candidates for public office. I was a UAW member during the 1970's. We got so sick of the union constantly threatening GM to go out on strike. We were very happy with both our wages and benifits, and were forced to live under the threat of a strike every year. That was the last union job I ever had. Never looked back.

[aforbes808]

01:05 PM on 09/14/2011

Inflated wages? It's not 1970 anymore. Do your research on what you could buy with your wages in 1970 and what you can buy today. Engage your brain.

[aforbes808]

01:32 PM on 09/14/2011

Here's a start. $1.00 in 1970 is equal to $5.81 today. Do you make almost 6x more today than in 1970? Maybe you do.

[sapperdom]

09:54 AM on 09/14/2011

GO ELIZABETH GO!! I WILL DEFINITELY CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CAMPAIGN!! We need this no-nonsene woman in DC to breathe some common sense into Senate!!

[middle-aged]

12:10 PM on 09/14/2011

me too.
she is SMART and HONEST - the top qualities required for public office (imo), and if she will not be elected, then draw conclusions about the Massachusetts electorate...

[treasuredtrophie]

01:24 PM on 09/14/2011

She is so far up OB's butt lol what you want to waste your food stamp dollars on her go for it.

[spanielsrule]

09:12 AM on 09/14/2011

I will go to Scott Brown's website today and make a donation. The last thing the unemployed in America need is another anti-business Senator.

[sapperdom]

09:56 AM on 09/14/2011

Anti-business? She just wants the middle class to know the truth about what they're up against. I thought conservatives were fro the free market--well the free market requires that we all know the truth.,

[StacieB]

08:57 AM on 09/14/2011

Very good candidate to go against Brown. Very excited for Warren for Senate!!!!

[treasuredtrophie]

01:26 PM on 09/14/2011

She won't win the primary.

[givemlharry]

08:33 AM on 09/14/2011

Only wish she was running for Prez in 2012 instead of the Great Compromiser who has yet to show any cajones in fighting for the common man.

[DaveInWheaton]

10:58 AM on 09/14/2011

F&F

[tbmuscg70]

12:49 PM on 09/14/2011

Not enough experience. You can see the result of learning on the job by seeing how Obama is doing.