With only one week before the New York state Democratic primary, Senator Bernie Sanders nabbed his first endorsement from a fellow senator.
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote an op-ed for the New York Times endorsing Sanders.
“After considering the biggest challenges facing our nation and the future I want for my children and our country,” Merkley wrote. “I have decided to become the first member of the Senate to support my colleague Bernie Sanders for president.”
“Many middle-class Americans are working longer for less income than decades ago, even while big-ticket expenses like housing, health care and college have relentlessly pushed higher,” Merkley said.
While Merkley gave President Obama credit for making things “fairer” and more “prosperous” during his term, the senator wants the next president to bring “big ideas” and “to rethink the status quo.”
The senator from Oregon wants a new direction for America.
“From her time advocating for children as a young lawyer to her work as first lady of Arkansas and the United States, and as a senator and secretary of state, Hillary Clinton has a remarkable record,” he wrote. “She would be a strong and capable president. But Bernie Sanders is boldly and fiercely addressing the biggest challenges facing our country.”
This is Sanders’ first endorsement from a senator. Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by 40 senators.
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