WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders picked up two House endorsements recently. Arizona Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva endorsed Sanders for president on Friday.
“Bernie is my friend and beyond friendship I agree with his values. I agree with the solutions that he is bringing to the American people,” the congressman told the outdoor rally on a grassy hillside at the Reid Park DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.
Grijalva, co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which Sanders founded in 1991, described the Vermont senator as “direct, honest, straight and truthful.”
On Monday, Sanders received the endorsement of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison, a co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
“I’m endorsing Bernie because he is talking about the issues that are important to American families,” Ellison said. “His candidacy is important for many reasons, but I believe the most important part of his candidacy is that it has the ability to create a renaissance in voter participation, which was at its lowest in decades this past election cycle. We’ve all seen the massive crowds he is attracting, and I think that is a testament to his message connecting with people – people we will need to turn out in November.”
Sanders is in Nevada preparing for Tuesday night’s Democratic Party debate with Hillary Clinton, Jim Webb, Lincoln Chaffee and Martin O’Malley.