Veteran political reporter Paul Steinhauser said Monday that New Hampshire is a “must win” state for Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), arguing that Massachusetts candidates have a history of winning in the state’s prized first-in-the-nation primary.
“Let’s be honest, New Hampshire is a must-win state for her,” Steinhauser told Hill.TV’s Buck Sexton and Jamal Simmons on “Rising.”
“She comes from neighboring Massachusetts, we have a history here of Massachusetts candidates winning the primaries,” he continued. This includes both Democrats and Republican candidates alike, such as former Governor of Massachusetts
Michael Dukakis and Sen. Mitt Romney (R).
Steinhauser added that if Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) declares another presidential run, the two will have “quit a fight” ahead. He noted that Bernie Sanders beat former rival Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire by more than 20 points during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, despite ultimately losing the party’s nomination.
“She may have to face off against Bernie Sanders here, he’s very well known obviously in the state, he crushed Hillary Clinton three years ago in the primary and we’ll see if the two battle it out in the Granite State,” he told Hill.TV.
Speculation continues to build around whether Sanders will launch another bid for the White House in 2020.
Politico reported on Monday that the Vermont senator is in the processing of recruiting a media production team that was used by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in her surprise upset last year against Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.).
Warren, meanwhile, made her first campaign trip to New Hampshire since officially announcing her entry into the race on New Years Eve.
At an organization event at Manchester Community College on Saturday, the Massachusetts senator touted her populist platform and emphasized her humble beginnings growing up in Oklahoma.
“I’m willing to fight, everyone knows that — the question is how do we build an America that works,” she told reporters. “Not just one for those at the top.”
The 2020 Democratic race is already shaping up to be a crowded field.
The former mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro, announced his bid for president over the weekend, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) announced on Friday that she also plans to run.
A slew of other other prominent Democrats, including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), are expected to make a formal announcement in the coming weeks. Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) and former Vice President Joe Biden are also among those being floated as potential candidates.
—Tess Bonn
hilltv copyright