U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the liberal icon from Vermont, on Thursday endorsed Aaron Regunberg in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District race, an indication that progressive support is coalescing behind the former state representative from Providence.
“I’m endorsing Aaron Regunberg for Congress because he understands the vital need to stand up against large corporations who have too much control over political and economic systems,” Sanders said in a statement. “He supports Medicare For All because he knows Big Pharma and the health insurance industry continue to put their own greed ahead of the lives of thousands of Americans.”
Sanders continued: “At a time when we’re living with record high temperatures and devastating flooding, Aaron understands that we can’t address catastrophic climate change without boldly taking on Big Oil. Aaron knows we have to focus on an economic agenda that improves the lives for working families, from expanding paid sick days to raising wages. Aaron’s candidacy is about making our government work for everyday people, rather than corporations and billionaires, and he deserves your vote.”
Sanders beat Hillary Clinton by 11 points in Rhode Island’s 2016 presidential primary, showing that a state that had been a bastion of support for Clintonism had moved in a more leftward direction.
Regunberg, 33, is one of 12 Democrats running for the CD1 seat vacated earlier this year by former U.S. Rep. David Cicilline.
Earlier this week, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, of which Cicilline formerly served as vice chair, announced it was endorsing Regunberg.
“Aaron’s history as a state legislator, a community organizer, and a climate lawyer makes it clear that he will come to Washington ready to organize on behalf of working people,” PAC Co-Chairs Reps. Mark Pocan, Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin said in a statement. “Like David, Aaron has direct experience overcoming gridlock and corruption to stand up to corporate power and win real progress.”
With a bit more than five weeks until the Sept. 5 primary, a signature-gathering scandal involving Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’ campaign came at a beneficial time for rival Democrats.
Matos has won a number of her own endorsements, including from EMILY’s List, the Rhode Island Laborers’ District Council, and the Building and Construction Trades Council.
Matos, Regunberg, Gabe Amo and Don Carlson this week announced plans to begin airing television ads in the race.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
