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Elizabeth Warren tells supporters in Seattle she's still in the fight

caption: Elizabeth Warren visited Seattle on the same day as the Nevada caucuses.
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Elizabeth Warren visited Seattle on the same day as the Nevada caucuses.
KUOW/Amy Radil

Speaking in Seattle, Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren addressed her fourth place showing in the Nevada caucuses.

“I’ve got a word tonight for Nevada," she said. "Thank you for keeping me in the fight!”

Warren supporters packed the Seattle Center Armory Saturday, Feb. 22, as well as the overflow space at Fisher Pavilion. Warren congratulated Bernie Sanders on his win in Nevada, and called billionaire candidate Michael Bloomberg a “threat” who is no different from President Trump.

She said she's a fighter but added, "It's not enough just to fight, you've got to fight and have a plan to get things done."

Warren described her efforts to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help people harmed by the financial crisis. During the question-and-answer period, one man came to the microphone to thank Warren, saying he received assistance from the bureau.

But one of Warren's biggest rounds of applause came from her assertion that "it is time for a wealth tax in America!"

caption: Elizabeth Warren greeted supporters at Fisher Pavilion before speaking at the Seattle Center Armory.
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Elizabeth Warren greeted supporters at Fisher Pavilion before speaking at the Seattle Center Armory.
KUOW/Amy Radil

Warren said if elected, she’ll choose an education secretary “who believes in public schools” and someone who “believes in science” to run the EPA. “Oh we’re gonna have fun!” she exclaimed.

As people lined up for Warren’s trademark selfies, supporter Njeri Thande said she’s apprehensive for Warren’s chances.

“It’s looking a little bit rough out there,” she said.

But Thande noted there are many state primaries yet to go. She said, “I’m still kind of encouraged by the work that she’s doing and all the work that her volunteers are doing. So I remain optimistic.”

Other supporters like Mary Lindsey from Bellingham, who wore a t-shirt bearing the slogan “nevertheless she persisted,” called Warren’s performance in last Wednesday’s debate – in which she sharply attacked Bloomberg -- a turning point.

“That gave her a nice boost,” Lindsey said.

“I’m a retired teacher. Elizabeth Warren taught 'special ed' back in the day and that’s what I did my whole career,” she said.

Lindsey said Warren is “pro-education and really working for the common people. We need to get these corporations in check and make sure everybody benefits from being in this country.”

caption: Mary Lindsey of Bellingham says she and Elizabeth Warren both taught special education.
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Mary Lindsey of Bellingham says she and Elizabeth Warren both taught special education.
KUOW/Dorothea Kaste

Joanna Maltbaek attended Warren’s appearance with her friends, all graduate students from the University of Washington.

“We want a female president,” they agreed. Maltbaek said she became a fan of Warren during her race for U.S. Senate. “I had a picture of her above my desk in college because I was so inspired by the way she was able to articulate her position, she’s very progressive…just love her.”

Ballots are out in Washington state, and are due by March 10.

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