A Fighting Chance

Elizabeth Warren recounts her two-decade path to political office and her experiences navigating Washington. Growing up in small-town Oklahoma with modest means, Warren aspired to attend college and teach elementary school. After early marriage and motherhood delayed her plans, she eventually became a distinguished law professor specializing in bankruptcy law. A call from Congress to advise on bankruptcy law reform marked a turning point. Warren spent ten years advocating for better bankruptcy protections but ultimately lost that fight. During the financial crisis, she worked to hold the federal government accountable, drawing opposition from major banks. She proposed a new consumer protection agency against predatory banking practices but was not selected to lead it. At age 62, Warren ran for Senate in a highly competitive race and won. Warren explains her commitment to fighting for the middle class and describes the dysfunction and bare-knuckled tactics she encountered in Washington politics.