More than two dozen Democratic power brokers in a key early primary state are pleading with Sen. Elizabeth Warren to run for the Democratic presidential nomination against scandal-scarred Hillary Clinton.
Twenty-seven current and former state lawmakers in New Hampshire have signed onto a letter urging Sen. Warren of Massachusetts to run for president, calling Ms. Warren a “fighter for middle class and working families” and that contested primaries ensure progressives have a chance to make their voices heard.
“We need leaders who aren’t afraid to tell the truth, and fight back — no matter what powerful interests say — and we need all the candidates in the primary to offer a bold vision for an economy that works for all Americans,” the letter reads. “Contested primaries test and strengthen candidates and ensure progressives have a chance to make our voices heard. Having a real debate is what democracy is all about.”
The letter does not mention by name former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, but it comes as Mrs. Clinton moves closer to a possible announcement and as she deals with fallout from the controversy over her using a private email system as secretary of state.
Ms. Warren has repeatedly refused such entreaties from liberal groups pleading for her to enter the race as an alternative to Mrs. Clinton and has said she is not running.
The letter was released by the group Democracy for America, which, along with MoveOn.org, is organizing a million dollar-plus “Run Warren Run” effort to try to draft Ms. Warren into the race. The campaign, launched in December, now has four staffers in New Hampshire, an office in Manchester and offices and staff in Iowa, another early presidential state.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.