Warren moves toward challenging Brown

The Wall Street Journal:

Elizabeth Warren, who got the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau off the ground and ready for its official launch, has been the subject of speculation on whether she’ll try to unseat Republican Sen. Scott Brown in Massachusetts next year.

On Thursday, the Democrat launched an exploratory committee and a campaign website, moving her closer to taking on Mr. Brown.

Ms. Warren, who recently returned to Massachusetts after setting up the consumer agency, has spent time meeting with grassroots activists—along with their friends and neighbors—as well as local Democratic officials across the state to introduce herself and discuss their concerns, an individual close to her said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the liberal organization Progressive Change Campaign Committee announced it had already raised $100,000 for Ms. Warren.

Ms. Warren, a Harvard Law School professor, was passed over for the top spot at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this summer after drawing sharp criticism from Republicans, who weren’t expected to support her in a Senate confirmation vote. The consumer agency opened its doors on July 21, and Ms. Warren stepped down on Aug. 1.

Mr. Brown, who has amassed $10 million for his re-election campaign and has strong support within the Bay State, won the seat in a special election last year after the death of liberal icon Sen. Edward Kennedy.