Bernie Sanders announced his endorsement of nine additional candidates running for congress on Wednesday, including the primary challenger to conservative Democrat Henry Cuellar.
These endorsements follow Sanders’ previous backing of Cori Bush, who is running for MO-01, and Marie Newman, running for IL-03.
Jessica Cisneros is challenging Representative Henry Cuellar in Texas’ 28th congressional district. Cuellar has held the seat since 2005. According to one analysis, he voted with Donald Trump more than any Democrat but one in the previous congress.
“I’m so grateful to receive the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders who is running a grassroots campaign to fight for working people, not big corporate donors,” Cisneros said in a statement.
“We’re proud that presidential candidates are taking a close look at South Texas as we fight to turn Texas blue in November — and that they know we’re the only candidate in this race who will champion Democratic values in Washington.”
Sanders also endorsed the four members of The Squad, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. All four congresswomen had previously endorsed Sanders’ presidential bid.
“This is the most important election in our lifetime and I’m proud there are so many candidates running for Congress who understand that real change comes from the bottom on up, not the top on down,” Sanders said.
“They’re all strong advocates for real change and together we will build a movement to transform this nation so that it works for all our people.”
The slate of 2020 endorsements include:
- Jessica Cisneros (TX-28)
- Georgette Gómez (CA-53)
- Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)
- Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17)
- Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-5)
- Representative Mark Pocan (WI-2)
- Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-7)
- Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)
- Representative Peter Welch (VT-AL)
Throughout 2018, Sanders campaigned heavily for local, state and federal candidates when the Democrats reclaimed a majority in the House of Representatives, and flipped seven governorships.
During the two months leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, Sanders visited at least nine states to rally support for Democratic candidates.
