Elizabeth Warren has confirmed that she plans to run for re-election to the Senate next year. Most of the reporting on this has framed it as a response to claims by the GOP that she is vying to take over Kamala Harris’s spot as VP; but whatever one thinks of her motives, the statement also functions as the de facto start of her campaign. Until the end of next year, media coverage of the Senate race in Massachusetts will position her as the uncontested “progressive” candidate.

And that’s why anyone who wants to run against her in 2024 needs to get ready now. The filing deadline for third party challengers to get on the ballot is July 24, 2024, but…