WA Rep. Pramila Jayapal throws support behind Bernie Sanders
Jan 20, 2020, 10:08 AM
WA Rep. Pramila Jayapal. (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders just got a new endorsement, this time from one of Washington state’s own Congressional representatives, Pramila Jayapal.
Washington state angles for relevance in 2020 presidential election
Jayapal — whose district encompasses most of Seattle, Burien, Edmonds, Shoreline, and more — teased at the endorsement in an interview with The Washington Post, pointing to her confidence in Sanders’ ability to take on incumbent President Donald Trump in November.
“What I feel we need is a candidate who is entirely authentic about what’s wrong and steadfast about it and can rally people to believe he can trust them,” she stated. “Bernie has that. I can feel Bernie beating Trump.”
She went on to inform The Post that she will soon be named the national health policy chair for Sanders’ campaign, and a chair for his campaign in Washington state. Rep. Jayapal will formally announce her endorsement at a Monday rally in support of Sanders in Iowa.
Jayapal’s endorsement marks a sizable boon to Sanders’ status among Progressive Democrats, with the Washington Congresswoman serving as co-chair for the Progressive Caucus. The other co-chair of the caucus — Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan — endorsed Sanders just days ago.
Jayapal: ‘We’re bending over backward to be fair’ in impeachment
She’s also been a vocal opponent of President Trump throughout impeachment proceedings in her role on the U.S. House Judiciary committee.
Sanders’ already scored endorsements from a famed trio of progressive lawmakers in Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib.
His campaign in Washington state kicked off in earnest in early January, at a “Primary Countdown Celebration” at Seattle’s Washington Hall. That came as he named local Seattle activist Shaun Scott as his Field Director for the entire state.
