US Senator Bernie Sanders, long a standard-bearer for progressive causes, has secured the endorsement of the newest star on the leftist stage, US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to be the Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. Apart from Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib too, plan to endorse Sanders. Sanders officially announced his candidature from Brooklyn College, the college he attended for a year on March 3.
Ocasio-Cortez plans to announce her choice on Saturday when Sanders returns to the campaign trail with a rally in New York. Sanders had stayed away from campaigning for the 2020 elections after suffering from a heart attack about two weeks ago.
Ocasio-Cortez, the 30-year-old Congresswoman, who represents the 14 district of New York is expected to endorse Bernie Sanders at a rally in Queens, New York on October 19. Sanders is among the candidates who believe in Medicare for all. He made an appearance on Tuesday for a debate with 11 other primary Democratic candidates.
Ocasio-Cortez of South American heritage, worked as an organiser for Sanders' primary campaign in 2016. Sanders had begun his campaign launch by saying that he will learn from the mistakes of 2016. Other issues Sanders stands for are raising the federal minimum wage, and access to affordable childcare.
Ocasio-Cortez's presence could certainly be an energy booster at Sander's rallies after his temporary absence due to a health scare. both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have dismissed comparisons between their brand of socialism and the socialism as endorsed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, that has led the country to its current state of devastation.
Sanders is also pro medicinal marijuana, a debate that has been going on in the US for several years now. Sanders at the debate last night, cheekily used his heart attack scare to promote Medicare for all, saying that his plan would be 'better than the Canadians.'
