Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, said Tuesday that she is "seriously considering" challenging Sen. Barbara Boxer's reelection bid in 2010.
The 54-year-old Republican businesswoman was in Washington D.C. where she told reporters, "I've had the opportunity to be involved in the political community, policy community and business, and that's a great advantage. I understand all those realms."
The San Jose Mercury News reports that Fiorina, who underwent breast cancer surgery earlier this month, will resume a full schedule after chemotherapy, which is set to begin soon.
Fiorina was a keynote speaker at last month's California Republican Party convention, but remained mum about her political plans at the time.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a Republican, is already actively seeking the GOP nomination.
In a February Field Poll, Boxer, a Democrat, outpolled Fiorina, 55 percent to 25 percent. But Boxer's support was generally lukewarm, with voters almost evenly divided about whether they were inclined to reelect her (43 percent to 44 percent).
Boxer's campaign immediately turned Fiorina's comments into a fundraising pitch to supporters before tonight's federal fundraising deadline.
Writing that "Fiorina reportedly received more than $150 million during her time at HP," Boxer campaign aide Rose Kapolczynski pleaded that, "We need to make sure that Barbara Boxer has all the resources she needs to compete against Carly Fiorina's deep pockets, while showing the press and pundits that Barbara's campaign is off to a strong, early start."
Boxer has already raised more than $4 million for her reelection.
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