Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren is facing criticism for a recent interview in which she referred to herself as an “elite hick.”
Speaking earlier this week with ABC News, Ms. Warren described herself as an “elite hick,” telling reporters that recent political attacks aimed at her background as a Harvard professor were not warranted.
“I’m a new category, an elite hick,” the Massachusetts Democrat said, “I don’t even know what to say about that one.”
“I’m going for the hick vote here,” Ms. Warren added, laughingly. “I just want you to know. Maybe we could start wearing stickers that say, ‘Hicks for Elizabeth.’ Could we do that?”
Massachusetts Republican shot back at Ms. Warren, saying her use of the word “hick” was insulting.
“Professor Warren’s insulting use of the word ‘hick’ offers a revealing prism into her elitist and arrogant worldview,” he said. “Massachusetts voters deserve an explanation about just who Professor Warren was referring to when she spoke of winning the ‘hick vote.’”
But Ms. Warren’s campaign said the comments were simply made in jest, issuing a statement later in the day.
“Elizabeth gave a self deprecating answer when an interviewer said that like her, he was from Oklahoma and often called a hick,” said Warren spokesman Kyle Sullivan on Tuesday. “It was a lighthearted moment in an otherwise serious conversation about Elizabeth’s fight for middle class families.”
Ms. Warren, who announced earlier this year that she would challenge Massachusetts U.S. Senator Scott Brown, has received national attention in recent weeks, launching a host of fundraisers aimed at expanding her base of support. Recent polls show Ms. Warren nearly tied with Mr. Brown, who has expressed confidence in his bid for re-election.
