In a statement following the launch of Barnes' new website, Warren's press secretary Alethea Harney said it is time to move past the issue.

"Over the past month Elizabeth has answered countless questions openly while the people who recruited her have made it clear it was because of her extraordinary skill as a teacher and a groundbreaking scholar. She is proud of her family and her heritage, and it is something that her family talked about often when she was growing up," Harney said. "The fact that Elizabeth noted her heritage in a professional publication has been made public and addressed by Elizabeth on multiple occasions. It’s time to focus on the important issues facing Massachusetts. There are real issues middle class families are dealing with every day and that’s where Elizabeth is focused."