U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Monday that while she has formed a committee to explore a likely 2020 presidential campaign, she remains committed to fighting for issues and policies important to Massachusetts families, as well as all Americans.
The Massachusetts Democrat, who unofficially entered the 2020 fray Monday morning, told reporters outside her Cambridge home that the things that drove her to enter politics in 2012 are fueling her focus on a possible White House bid.
“I never thought I would run for anything ever in my life, but America’s middle class is getting hollowed out and opportunity for too many of our young people is shrinking. So, I’m in this fight all the way,” she said during a brief news conference with her husband, Bruce Mann, and dog, Bailey. "Right now, Washington works great for the wealthy and well-connected, it’s just not working for anyone else. But, I am optimistic. I believe in what we can do together."
Pointing to her own upbringing in a “paycheck-to-paycheck family," the senator stressed that she’s “in this fight” to help working class Americans.
“I ran for office because I’m grateful down to my toes for the opportunities that were given to me, and I am determined that we will give those same opportunities not just to some of our kids, but to all of our kids,” she said.
The Democrat acknowledged that her campaign may make “a lot of people unhappy,” but rejected the argument that her politics are too progressive or polarizing to win a national election.
She contended that income inequality, student debt and other economic issues are felt by Americans of all different backgrounds and are a platform many voters can rally around.
“Our government should be working for the people and that’s the movement I’m going to lead,” she said, adding that it’s important for her and other Democrats to “get out and talk to people about what (they’re) fighting for.”
Despite drawing criticism for her claims of Native American ancestry and her decision to publicly release the results of a DNA test, the senator said she doesn’t believe questions surrounding her heritage should be a focus in 2020.
“I have put it all out there, it’s there for anyone to see. But at the end of the day, what this is going to be about -- this election going forward -- is the tens of millions of families across the country who work hard, who play by the rules and who just time after time take one body blow after another," she said.
Warren further shot down the suggestion that by announcing an exploratory committee she is turning her back on the Massachusetts voters who recently decided to send her back to the U.S. Senate.
“I’m in the fight for all of our families. It’s the same fight that drew me into elected politics to begin with,” she said. “I want to see an America that works not just for some people, but an America that works for all of us.”
Warren, who said she intends to build a grassroots campaign, further argued that if Democrats are going to win in 2020, they must build up a network of small dollar donors, volunteers and “real people" -- not rely on Political Action Committees and wealthy donors.
The Democrat noted that since announcing her exploratory committee just hours earlier, she had already received donations from people in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
“That’s how you build a grassroots campaign,” she said.
Warren urged supporters across the country to help her “build the movement that will change America."