This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign has been marked by a unique approach to courting the Democratic establishment. Rather than relying on large public events, the senator has been meeting with small groups of Democratic officials in private gatherings, known as 'clutches,' to build relationships and gain support.
One such meeting took place in Derry, New Hampshire, where Warren met with Lisa DeMio, the chairwoman of the Democratic town committee in Hampstead. DeMio described the meeting as 'a little more intimate,' and while she cannot officially endorse Warren, she has personally chosen to support the senator.
Warren's efforts to build relationships with Democratic officials have been ongoing, with the senator emailing Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor and agriculture secretary, to discuss agricultural policy. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a state representative in South Carolina, has also been the recipient of Warren's personal touch, with the senator reaching out to her multiple times despite knowing she would not endorse in the primary race.
Warren's campaign is set to continue its efforts to build support in South Carolina, with the senator scheduled to attend a town-hall-style meeting at South Carolina State University on Tuesday. The event is being hosted by Representative James E. Clyburn, a longtime ally of Joe Biden, and will focus on a bill related to student loan debt that Warren and Clyburn have jointly introduced.
