Hours after Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) announced on Thursday that he was retiring after four decades on the Hill, Sandra Fluke announced that she is “strongly considering” a run for his seat.
Fluke, 32, made headlines in 2012 when she was denied the opportunity to testify in Congress on Obamacare’s contraception requirements while she was a law student at Georgetown University. Her story gained instant fame when conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” and a “prostitute.” Since then, she has become an advocate for women’s health issues and was invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
“I’m flattered that I’m being discussed as a potential candidate, especially for Rep. Waxman’s seat, considering his incredible legacy,” Fluke said in a statement emailed to TIME. ” A number of folks I respect very deeply have reached out today and encouraged me to run. I am strongly considering running. I’ll be making my decision soon.”
If Fluke fully commits, she would face a crowded field of candidates. Marianne Williamson, a best-selling spiritual author, threw her name into the ring back in November, before Waxman announced his retirement. State senators Ted Lieu and Fran Pavley, as well as Assemblyman Richard Bloom, are also considering runs for the seat, according to the Sacramento Bee.
The 33rd congressional district runs from Malibu through Santa Monica down to Long Beach. Fluke, a Pennsylvania native, has only lived in the LA area since completing law school.
Fluke thanked Waxman for his service on her Twitter feed, but did not share her own plans:
Waxman, 74, came to Congress when Gerald Ford was president and has had a hefty legislative career. His work on healthcare and environmental issues led to laws to cut air pollution, expand Medicaid for the poor, reduce smoking, and, most famous in recent years, pass Obama’s Affordable Care Act in the House.