MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Sunday she is running for president, joining a large pool of Democratic candidates who have already formed exploratory committees.
“As your President, I will look you in the eye. I will tell you what I think. I will focus on getting things done. That’s what I’ve done my whole life. And no matter what, I’ll lead from the heart,” Klobuchar said.
Sen. Klobuchar, a member of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was first elected to the Senate in 2006. She easily secured her third term in November, winning Minnesota by more than 600,000 votes.
She currently serves as a ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Before being elected to the United States Senate, Klobuchar served as Hennepin County Attorney.
Klobuchar’s bid has come with some scrutiny. Several anonymous allegations detailed in recent Huffington Post and Buzzfeed articles describe the senator as being demeaning to her staff.
A spokesperson for Klobuchar issued a statement regarding the allegations, saying, in part: “Senator Klobuchar loves her staff – they are the reason she has gotten to where she is today. She has many staff who have been with her for years.”
The first contest of the presidential season is just over a year away. The Iowa Caucuses are Feb. 3, 2020.
