Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff said he welcomes socialist senator Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) support in the state's upcoming Senate runoff election.
"I welcome his support," Ossoff said during a Sunday CNN appearance. "Again, look, I think that his advocacy for ensuring that health care is a human right in this country ... is welcome, is necessary, is appreciated. And so is his support."
Ossoff's praise for Sanders could undermine the Georgia Democrat's ability to distance himself from the far-left senator's progressive policies. Ossoff has repeatedly claimed he does not support Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, both of which Sanders has championed.
Ossoff's comments came one day after Sanders endorsed the Georgia Democrat in his bid to unseat Republican senator David Perdue. Perdue's campaign accused Ossoff of "casually praising radical socialists and their dangerous agendas."
"[Ossoff] thinks the elimination of private health insurance and taking coverage away from millions of Georgians is worthy of admiration," Perdue spokesman John Burke said in a statement. "Ossoff isn't hiding his radicalism, he's telling us who he really is. We should believe him."
Ossoff on Sunday also evaded a question on whether he would support Sanders's appointment as labor secretary in the incoming Biden administration. The Georgia Democrat left open the possibility of a future campaign rally with Sanders, saying he hasn't "had that discussion" with the Vermont senator.