Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) endorsed fellow progressive Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) for Senate in California in 2024, days after Porter announced her intention to run for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) Senate seat.
In a video posted on her Twitter page, Warren said Porter saw “how giant corporations rig the rules to hurt families,” which is why “she stands up to Wall Street and Big Pharma” and “holds fossil fuel companies accountable.”
Even as a young student in my consumer law class, @KatiePorterOC showed a deep-down commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. Since then, she’s taken on Wall Street and giant corporations that cheat families. She delivers. And I’m very happy to endorse her for Senate. pic.twitter.com/XU8TAHXMAu
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 12, 2023
Warren’s endorsement is the first so far in what is expected to become a crowded primary for the California seat, which is safely Democratic. There is still uncertainty over whether Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator, will retire at the end of 2024. The California Democrat has not yet said if she is running for a sixth term.
Porter was the first to announce her intention to run for Feinstein’s seat. Following her announcement, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) told colleagues she also plans to run, according to reports. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has signaled his interest in running but has not announced a bid. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has said he would defer his decision for a few months.
BARBARA LEE TELLS COLLEAGUES SHE PLANS TO RUN FOR SENATE: REPORTS
Warren’s endorsement of Porter is part of her efforts to bolster progressive candidates, but it’s also deeply personal. Porter was Warren’s student in her consumer law class at Harvard Law School over 20 years ago. Warren hired Porter as a researcher on one of her major bankruptcy projects. The two women went on to co-author a law textbook published in 2020.
“Since then, she’s taken on Wall Street and giant corporations that cheat families. She delivers,” Warren wrote in a tweet endorsing the California congresswoman.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The two lawmakers have worked together to address consumer protection and bankruptcy issues in Congress. Warren’s endorsement is less surprising considering Porter served as a national co-chair to the Massachusetts senator’s 2020 presidential campaign.
Feinstein said she would announce her 2024 plans at “the appropriate time,” according to NBC News. Twenty-four hours after launching her campaign, Porter had raised $1.3 million.
