2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., had a very bad day on the campaign trail Tuesday — and it could cost her everything.
Warren is about to get a rival in the Democratic primary that will pull straight from her voting base.
And it’s someone she never expected.
Her old pal, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, is preparing to make a run at the Democratic primary according to The New York Times.
And not only is he joining, but Politico writes that he’s joining as an alternative to Warren — even after Patrick all but endorsed Warren a few months ago.
His entrance into the 2020 race suggests that Warren’s campaign hasn’t impressed Democratic insiders.
According to Politico, he’s serious. Reports say Patrick has reached out to former Vice President Joe Biden to discuss jumping into the race. Even Obama’s insiders have encouraged Patrick to run.
Rumors say it’s because he’s positioned to upstage Warren.
Patrick and his campaign would likely steal crucial voters away form Warren as the 2020 race tightens between her and Biden.
“Their bases of support are essentially overlapping, at least in Massachusetts,” according to an anonymous Democratic strategist featured in Politico.
One former Boston city council member put it bluntly: “Deval will complicate Elizabeth Warren’s life — and other peoples’ — but especially hers,” said local Democratic leader Larry DiCara.
DiCara notes that Patrick’s entry could steal away the Massachusetts primary away from Warren on March 3.
More than anything, late entrees into the packed field of presidential hopefuls, like former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, reveal that Democratic insiders are nervous about the existing field.
And as for Warren, she’s been silent on the reports of Patrick running. The prolonged silence is a sharp contrast from when the centrist Bloomberg hinted at his run — Warren welcomed the billionaire with a scathing, sarcastic message.
So far she has no words for her (former) friend.
But Patrick, by running, is sending her a message loud and clear.
“You’re toast.”
The Horn editorial team