Hillary Clinton has received a raving endorsement for 2016.
In an op-ed first published for Politico's Women Rule series, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said she "still believes" in Hillary Clinton "now more than ever."
"I was an early and enthusiastic supporter during Hillary’s run for the White House in 2008," Feinstein wrote in the Santa Clara Valley News. "I believed she would be a spectacular leader and a transformative president for our country."
While the former Secretary of State has not yet confirmed a 2016 presidential bid, the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC “Ready for Hillary” has planned "low-dollar, grassroots" events in California, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as "organizational meetings and volunteer training" in Texas, Ohio, Maine, Arizona and Oregon. In October, billionaire investor George Soros joined the political group as a co-chair.
The organization's Facebook page now has 1.2 million fans and its Twitter account is nearing 95,000 followers.
Feinstein strongly supported Clinton's candidacy in 2008 and when it became clear that instead Barack Obama would nab the Democratic nomination, the California senior senator helped the two candidates move past their bitter primary battle. After Clinton and Obama met at Feinstein's Washington home, Clinton agreed to endorse Obama and help him win the election.
"Cynics questioned Hillary’s commitment to that cause, but those of us who knew her well had no doubt: She would be an invaluable asset on the campaign trail and eventually a trusted adviser in the Obama administration’s Cabinet," Feinstein wrote.
This has not been the first high-profile endorsement Clinton has received from her former colleagues in the Senate.
Senator Chuck Schumer backed Clinton for 2016 this past November, arguing that her "experience is unrivaled and her vision is unparalleled." “Run, Hillary, Run,” Schumer said at the Iowa Democratic Party’s dinner.
A group of 16 Democratic female senators also signed a secret letter encouraging the former New York senator to run. Organized by Sen. Barbara Boxer, the letter was not revealed until Sen. Kay Hagan mentioned it at a New York City event in October.
“I have repeatedly said – publicly, privately and in writing – that Hillary Clinton should run for president in 2016,” Boxer said.