Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina Begins Exploratory Committee In Senate Bid

San Diego, CA (AHN) - Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO who served as campaign adviser to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in last year's presidential race, has established an exploratory committee in her bid to take the seat of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in 2010.

The 54--year-old Republican had been expected to register a committee for months, but she underwent surgery for breast cancer in March.

Fiorina needs to win the GOP nomination during the California's June 8 primary next year before she can take on Boxer, a five-term congresswoman and three-term senator who is currently Chief Deputy Whip. The primary is likely to be highly contentious, as her potential rival has already heightened attacks.

State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said in response to Fiorina's new exploratory committee, "I don't expect to see Fiorina out talking to the grassroots, taking her case personally to concerned voters. This campaign won't be decided by slick ads from a Hollywood PR firm, nor by retreads from the '08 McCain campaign, nor by the D.C. party establishment that gave up on California years ago."

DeVore, a former aide to former Rep. Chris Cox and Irvine city commissioner, also criticized Fiorina's record, citing reports saying the former Hewlett-Packard chief did not vote in 13 of the past 18 elections, and had supported the federal bailout under the Bush administration last year "so long as the high-tech industry got its share of the corporate welfare."

A Standford University graduate, Fiorina served as campaign surrogate and economic adviser to McCain. Despite having caused controversy by saying she "doesn't think John McCain could run a major corporation," she was said to have been shortlisted for Republican vice presidential nominee.

She is a recipient of the 2002 Appeal of Conscience Award and the 2004 Leadership Award from the Private Sector Council. She was ousted out of HP in 2005, a year after she was appointed by the White House to the U.S. Space Commission.