Elizabeth Warren Inches Closer to Senate Run

Elizabeth Warren has taken one big step closer to a much-buzzed about run for Senate in Massachusetts. Yesterday the consumer advocate and Harvard professor filed paperwork to create an exploratory committee, a source tells the AP. She also put up a website—http://elizabethforma.com—where supporters can donate and sign up for updates. Warren will spend the next few weeks meeting with party officials and activists, before formally deciding sometime after Labor Day whether to run.

Warren would be up against Republican Scott Brown for the seat once held by Ted Kennedy. She's already garnered support from EMILY's List, an abortion rights group that raises money for female Democrats. "The EMILY's List community has been telling me loud and clear that they want Elizabeth Warren in the race," the group's head said. But the National Republican Senatorial Committee scoffed at the move, labeling her "the anointed candidate of the Washington establishment." (More Elizabeth Warren stories.)