Those who were ready for Hillary finally got the answer they were looking for: She’s in for 2016.
A flurry of supporters, deep-pocketed donor groups and top Democrats immediately threw their support behind Hillary Clinton’s 2016 bid within mere moments of her announcement Sunday afternoon.
.@hillaryclinton is smart, caring and determined. She is going to be an outstanding president! #Hillary2016
— Madeleine Albright (@madeleine) April 12, 2015Very proud of you Mom! @HillaryClinton: http://t.co/PvMlg82cU2
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) April 12, 2015Women’s groups swiftly noted how historic Clinton’s second shot at the Oval Office would be and highlighted her lengthy resume in championing women’s issues.
“Secretary Clinton is and has always been steadfast in her commitment to building a culture of equality for women starting with a woman’s right to choose her own destiny,” Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said in a statement. “She is exactly the kind of leader we need to continue to move our country forward, and we are excited to see her jump into this race.”
Within minutes of Clinton’s announcement, EMILY’S List, the country’s largest women’s advocacy group, endorsed her campaign. “When she is elected president, it will mean more opportunities for women, more opportunities for girls, and more opportunities for hardworking Americans across the country,” the group said in a statement.
In 1920 women got the right to vote. One hundred years later, let's make sure there's a woman in the White House!
— Barbara Boxer (@BarbaraBoxer) April 12, 2015Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz accepted Clinton’s candidacy and welcomed a competitive primary for the party’s nomination, an issue currently in flux without an immediate candidate on the horizon to match the former secretary of state’s operations. Clinton is the first Democrat to officially enter the race, with more candidates expected to formally announce in the coming weeks.
The pro-Sen. Elizabeth Warren group Ready For Warren vowed to step up efforts to press the Massachusetts Democrat into the race to round out the debate on a variety of progressive issues ahead of the Democratic nomination.
‘Without Warren herself in the race, we may not get that chance,” the campaign manager Erica Sagrans said in a statement.
The office former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, another Democrat considering a 2016 run, issued a statement saying his decision on whether to enter the race will not be impacted by the announcement, adding that “the Democratic Party will benefit from a robust issues debate.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is also on the list of Democrats mulling a presidential run to fill the gap for progressives who feel Clinton may be too moderate. In a statement Sunday, Sanders said it was “imperative” that Clinton, like every other Democratic candidate, to address issues of income inequality, climate change and campaign finance. Sanders made no mention of whether he himself would be another candidate to press those issues.
Reaction to Clinton’s announcement was not limited to the political sphere. A number of celebrities — mostly women — were quick to share their support of the female presidential candidate.
yaaas @hillaryclinton
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) April 12, 2015
Amanda Sakuma