Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib Endorse Bernie Sanders

CNN and other sources are reporting some big news: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, three of the most prominent progressive freshmen in the House, are set to endorse Bernie Sanders on Wednesday.

Until now, it wasn’t clear whether they’d make this move, or stay on the sidelines as long as Elizabeth Warren was in the mix (as Warren herself did when it came to Hillary v. Bernie in 2016). In terms of Congress, AOC’s endorsement was absolutely the most coveted among progressive candidates, absolutely the most noteworthy, and arguably the biggest prize overall.

As of this writing, Omar is the only one to confirm her endorsement. Watch the video below, in which she speaks about how Sanders’ 2016 movement inspired her own run, and makes this remarkable point: “The Senator is the only candidate that isn’t about leaning a particular way, but being true to yourself, and fighting for what you believe regardless of what the obstacles are.”

.@BernieSanders isn’t fighting to win just one presidential election — he’s fighting for the soul of our democracy.

Here’s more on why I’m so proud to give Bernie my endorsement for president of the United States: pic.twitter.com/1NLMPnzS1x

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 16, 2019

Bernie is leading a working class movement to defeat Donald Trump that transcends generation, ethnicity, and geography. I know this from experience — I’ve worked with him up close on bold progressive reforms. I’ve seen the values that motivate his fight for progress.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 16, 2019

Ari Rabin-Havt, Sanders’ chief of staff, had this to say about AOC’s endorsement:

“When Bernie talks about a Green New Deal, Bernie talks about Medicare for All, Alexandria has also been out front on those issues. And I think that ideological linkage is what brings them together, and what makes her support so powerful for our campaign is that it’s not about personality. It’s not about ‘I just like the guy,’ it’s they believe in the movement and a movement for change in this country that they both want to build.”

This post will be updated as the official endorsements roll in.