Sen. Boxer formally files papers for re-election, gets boost from Gore

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer made it official Thursday — she’s running for re-election. Boxer filed her candidate papers in Riverside, near one of her homes in Rancho Mirage.

In filing for re-election, Boxer, a three-term Democratic senator, acknowledged an anti-incumbent sentiment among voters.

“We’re moving out of a very, very, very tough time and people want to know that you’re on their side and that you’re standing up and thinking about how you’re going to fight for them every day," said Boxer.

Three Republicans seek to oust Boxer: former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina, ex-Congressman Tom Campbell and State Senator Chuck DeVore of Irvine.

Tea Party activists also vow to oppose the incumbent. The 69-year-old senator dismisses them.

“I think some of the Tea Party points of view are so out of step with the far-out-of-the-mainstream that it’s probably going to help me in many ways," said Boxer.

Political observers maintain that Boxer’s vulnerable, especially after the GOP’s upset Senate victory in heavily Democratic Massachusetts.

The national Democratic Party is already sending big names to assist her. Former Vice President Al Gore Thursday headlined a Boxer fundraiser in Pacific Palisades.

Boxer said she hopes to make the environment and jobs big issues in the campaign.

“Clean energy policy — that’s the way we’re going to get out of this tough economic time," said Boxer.

"If we in California in particular continue where we’re going, we’ll have the technology the whole world wants — because the whole world is going green.”

Asked what she thought of Indiana Senator Evan Bayh's decision against running for re-election, Boxer said she agreed with his analysis that the U.S. Senate is getting bogged down with the increasing use of the filibuster.

Boxer also said Bayh, whom she called a close friend, did not like the legislative process as much as she does.