Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalBiden’s right, we need policing reform now – the House should quickly take up his call to action Defense bill turns into proxy battle over Floyd protests Top progressive lawmaker unveils bill requiring national police training standards MORE (D-Wash.) became the latest member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to throw her support behind Jessica Cisneros, who’s challenging Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) in a Democratic primary.
“Voters across America are hungry for bold, progressive change — and that means electing leaders like Jessica Cisneros who will fight for working people,” Jayapal said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Jessica in Congress to build a more equal and prosperous America for all of us — one in which Medicare For All, a Green New Deal, humane immigration reform and gun safety legislation become a reality.”
Last week, prominent presidential candidate Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) announced his endorsement of Cisneros among nine other candidates.
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She’s running to unseat Cuellar with the backing of Justice Democrats, a progressive advocacy group that supported several progressive Democrats, including Jayapal, as well as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezAttorney says 75-year-old man shoved by Buffalo police suffered brain injury How language is bringing down Donald Trump Highest-circulation Kentucky newspaper endorses Charles Booker in Senate race MORE (N.Y.) and Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyHow language is bringing down Donald Trump Over 1,400 pro athletes, coaches call on Congress to back bill ending qualified immunity Biden’s right, we need policing reform now – the House should quickly take up his call to action MORE (Mass.), who have also voiced their support for Cisneros.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show that in the fourth quarter of 2019, Cisneros outraised Cuellar, raising $517,000 compared to his $431,000, though he had $2.9 million cash-on-hand compared to her $615,000.
Last week, the Texas chapter of the AFL-CIO endorsed Cisneros as well.
Cuellar however, has the backing of several party leaders, such as House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri BustosCheryl (Cheri) Lea BustosGOP pulls support from California House candidate over ‘unacceptable’ social media posts Republican flips House seat in California special election GOP’s Don Bacon and challenger neck and neck in Democratic poll MORE (Ill.).
Cuellar’s campaign manager Colin Strother dismissed Cisneros’s endorsements as being from “out of state” lawmakers while touting his candidate’s backing in Texas.
“Our opponent is still focused on out of state endorsements while we are focused on the district, that’s why we have 225 endorsements from local elected officials and she has zero,” Strother told The Hill. “The voters of South Texas will decide the race, not out of state members of congress no one in this district has ever heard of.”
The Texas Democratic primary takes place March 3.