Warren plans to open Philly campaign field office

Elizabeth Warren is poised to be the first Democratic presidential candidate to open a field office in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2020 election. 

CBS reports that Warren’s camp will be opening a field office in Philadelphia, and has hired a Pennsylvania strategist. Her campaign is expected to bring on new local staff in coming weeks. 

It was reported that the Warren campaign has brought on Anne Wakabayashi, who is the chair of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. Wakabayashi has also been involved in the state Senate Democratic Campaign Committee and Emerge Pennsylvania.

News of Warren’s plan to set up shop locally comes just a few months after Mayor Kenney endorsed Warren for President. In October, Kenney shared a tweet, which read, “I am endorsing Elizabeth Warren for President because she is a tough and determined leader. She has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead us in the post-Trump era. She will unite us and put power in the hands of working families — and get our nation back on the right track.” 

In addition to the tweet, Kenney also shared a video explaining why he believes Warren is the right choice. 

Some Democratic strategists in the state called Warren’s move aggressive since, in previous campaigns, the hiring of field staff wasn’t until February or March. 

Strategists that spoke to CBS also mentioned they saw the move as Warren challenging former Vice President Joe Biden on his own turf. It is believed to be an attempt to narrow Biden’s advantages in his home state. 

Biden has his campaign headquarters in Philly and deep roots in Pennsylvania, which he used to announce the beginning of his campaign. He’s endorsed many officials in the state as well.