At least four candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination are vying to win the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Politico is reporting.
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren-D-Mass., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., along with former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro are wooing the outspoken Democrat, according to Politico.
“I think it’s one of the most important endorsements in America right now,” said Rebecca Katz, a progressive political consultant. “AOC has captured the imagination of so many young people, so many women and so many non-politicos who really see her as a ray of light.”
Sanders’ team has said he and Ocasio-Cortez “have had phone calls.” Ocasio-Cortez worked on Sanders’ 2016 campaign. And several of Sanders’ staffers from that campaign have gone to work for her. Warren had met with Ocasio-Cortez privately and the two teams have been in touch. Politico also noted both Gillibrand and Castro have made overtures.
Right now, Sanders and Warren appear to have the edge.
“She is excited about both of their campaigns and the ideas they are putting forward,” said Corbin Trent, a spokesman for Ocasio-Cortez.
But he noted she isn't planning to endorse soon.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who co-chairs Sanders’ campaign, said he was told she would decide before New York’s primary next year.
“I know (Ocasio-Cortez) has very strong positive feelings toward Sen. Sanders,” he said. “I know she also has positive feelings toward Sen. Warren.”
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