A progressive powerhouse in Minnesota politics has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president over hometown candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
TakeAction Minnesota voted to endorse Sanders after a “five-month process engaging in the presidential primary with the organization’s national affiliates, People’s Action and CPD Action, and with presidential campaigns in the state,” the group said in a press release.
“From fighting to guarantee health care for all people, to championing a living wage for workers, TakeAction Minnesota is driving progressive change across the state,” Sanders said in a statement. “We are proud to work together with this incredible organization as we build a diverse, working class movement to achieve economic, racial, social and environmental justice for every American.”
The group touted its “50,000 person progressive network in a Super Tuesday state” and has 6,000 dues-paying members, according to The Star Tribune. Its Wednesday endorsement marked the first time in its history that it has endorsed a candidate for president.
“We’re proud to endorse Bernie Sanders for president. In Bernie’s campaign, we see a reflection of ourselves – our hopes, dreams and struggle. We are excited to build with a candidate who is already investing in our multiracial, working class movement to take on corporate power in our democracy and do politics better,” said Elianne Farhat, executive director of TakeAction Minnesota.
“Bernie’s politics are rooted in human dignity and justice. Not only has he walked alongside people’s movements, but his political leadership has pushed all of us to imagine a country that fully lives into our values of liberty, justice and happiness for all—and to believe that country is within our grasp when we join together,” she added.
Mai Chong Xiong, chair of TakeAction’s Board of Directors, said Sanders was “the clear choice.”
“Bernie has built a bold, powerful movement because he listens to the people and knows our power. When working people organize and rise up together, we win elections and build a democracy, government and economy that works for all of us. The momentum keeps growing because families, communities, and climate can’t wait for action,” she said.
The group promised to unlock its “grassroots organizing power across the state for Bernie Sanders ahead of Minnesota’s president primary election,” which is scheduled for March 3.
Klobuchar has received the endorsement of several prominent Democrats in her home state, including Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and the mayors of both Minneapolis and St. Paul, but Attorney General Keith Ellison and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) endorsed Sanders.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Bernie Sanders” and Amy Klobuchar” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
