Senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has endorsed Marie Newman, a progressive activist, in her second attempt to unseat congressman Dan Lipinski (D., Ill.), one of the few remaining pro-life Democrats in Congress.
Offering his support to her "grassroots campaign," Sanders told Buzzfeed News Tuesday evening that Newman "will challenge the establishment by fighting for Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, expanding workers’ rights, and she will be a powerful voice for upholding Roe v. Wade at a disturbing moment in our history when a woman’s right to control her own body and future is at stake."
The independent senator and presidential candidate supported Newman last cycle when she came within a percentage point of defeating Lipinski, and his endorsement will allow Newman to again cast herself as the progressive candidate in the primary. She is expected to campaign on issues she raised in 2018, attacking Lipinski over his votes on abortion, traditional marriage, and immigration. In that campaign, Newman received endorsements from a variety of progressive organizations including EMILY's List, MoveOn, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
Sanders joins two other Democratic presidential candidates in endorsing the progressive activist. In May, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) and Washington governor Jay Inslee (D.) both offered their support to Newman's campaign.
The endorsement comes amid internal Democratic Party debate over whether the party is willing to support pro-life candidates and elected officials. Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos (D., Ill.) recently canceled a planned fundraiser for Lipinski after criticism from progressive House members.
"It's wonderful to watch our Democratic party unify over shared values," Newman tweeted after Bustos canceled the fundraiser. "Yes, we're a big tent party, but Rep. Lipinski does not represent the priorities of our community."
When she pulled back from the fundraiser, Bustos said the DCCC still intends to support Lipinski's re-election campaign "to protect our big tent Democratic caucus."
Sanders has previously drawn criticism from progressive activists over his support for a Nebraska mayoral candidate who had voted for abortion restrictions. In 2017, Sanders held a rally for Omaha mayoral candidate Heath Mayo as part of the Democratic National Committee's unity tour following the 2016 presidential election. Sanders and DNC Chairman Tom Perez were subsequently criticized by the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, who called the event "politically stupid."
Sanders defended his decision to campaign for Mayo at the time, saying, "I think you just can't exclude people who disagree with us on one issue."