Sen. Mazie Hirono Mazie Keiko HironoDemocrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue Overnight Defense: US, Russia trade blame over Syria incident | Pentagon calls out China's 'counterproductive' military exercises, missile test | Democrats press Esper on COVID-19 response Democrats press Esper on 'concerning' rise in Pentagon's COVID-19 cases MORE (D-Hawaii) said Friday that she believes former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz should run as a Democrat if he chooses to pursue a 2020 presidential bid.

“I welcome everybody, in fact I think Schultz should run as a Democrat,” Hirono said on CNN's "New Day."

“If his ideas are all that great he should be able to articulate them as a Democrat."

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Schultz announced Sunday that he is considering a 2020 White House bid as an independent.

Since then he has received significant criticism from Democrats who fear he may siphon votes off from their nominee if he runs as a third-party candidate.

During her interview Hirono declined to endorse any one candidate for the Democratic nomination.

When host John Berman pressed her about any preference she might have, Hirono said “I would be delighted if we nominated a woman.”

So far several of Hirono's colleagues in the Senate have declared bids or are considering running, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenJudd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? MORE (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Fox's Napolitano: Supreme Court confirmation hearings will be 'World War III of political battles' Rush Limbaugh encourages Senate to skip hearings for Trump's SCOTUS nominee MORE (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.) and Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.).