Carly Fiorina participates in a discussion during the 2015 National Review Ideas Summit held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington on May 2, 2015.Pete Marovich—Corbis
Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, said Monday that she’s running for president in 2016, joining an increasingly crowded field for the Republican nomination.
Fiorina, who mounted an unsuccessful 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate in California and has never held elected office, made the announcement during an interview on ABC’s Good Morning American and in a subsequent Twitter message. She was set to hold a conference call with reporters later Monday morning.
Fiorina is the only woman in the emerging GOP field and has positioned herself as a vocal opponent to Hillary Clinton, the prohibitive Democratic front-runner. An anti-abortion conservative friendly to the business wing of the Republican Party, she has been pitching herself as the candidate who can most credibly court women voters, a constituency with whom Republicans have struggled in recent presidential elections.
She gave a well-received speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference this year, but she’s widely considered a long shot for the nomination and has barely registered in early polls.
Fiorina is releasing a new book Tuesday, which opens up about personal struggles she’s faced, including losing a daughter and fighting cancer.
Behind the Scenes of CPAC
Peter Dudziak of John, Minnesota attends CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2014.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMENine year old Thomas H. from Virginia at his first CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMESarah Palin at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, MD on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEDr. Ben Carson gives a speech to open Thursday's session at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMETimothy Flynn from New York City poses in an American flag jacket at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMERick Santorum takes a selfie with a supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEA Rand Paul supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMERand Paul speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMESen. Ted Cruz shakes hands with a Sarah Palin supporter at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEA reporter asks attendees to choose their favorite candidate at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMECPAC attendees listen to Donald Trump in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEJeb Bush speaks at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMENew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gives a thumb's up at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEA supporter poses with a life-size cutout of Rand Paul at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEWisconsin Governor Scott Walker at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMERetired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson greets supporters at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEFormer Republican Governor of Texas Rick Perry at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEButtons for past Republican campaigns on display at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMESupporters watch Rand Paul speak at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEDonald Trump signs a Playboy magazine at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEAttendees applaud at CPAC in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 27, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIMEAn empty room ready for the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 26, 2015. Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME
