Bernie Sanders backs Raquel Terán for Congress: 'Committed to fight for the people'

With a week to go before the July 30 election, Sen. Bernie Sanders has picked a side in the Democratic primary race to replace Rep. Ruben Gallego in Congress.

Sanders endorsed former state Sen. Raquel Terán, an organizer and former Arizona Democratic Party chair.

“She is committed to fight for the people, not the powerful,” Sanders, I-Vt., wrote in a statement. “Raquel has taken on powerful special interests and won. She has spent her career fighting for good-paying union jobs, for reproductive freedom, for Medicare for All and for a Green New Deal.”

Two self-described progressive candidates are facing off in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, which covers much of western and southern Phoenix and parts of downtown.

Both Terán and her leading rival, former Phoenix vice mayor and U.N. climate adviser Yassamin Ansari, are running on bold action to combat climate change, protecting abortion rights, and Medicare for All.

Sanders’ endorsement is the latest addition to Terán’s growing list of high-profile backers. They include Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the progressive Working Families Party, and the youth climate group Sunrise Movement.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., also has endorsed Terán.

Ansari has the backing of more than a dozen labor groups and a list of statewide and local elected officials. As Terán has attacked her opponent’s network of donors and personal wealth, Ansari has emphasized her record holding elected office in Phoenix, which includes accomplishments related to homelessness and housing and climate policies.

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Ansari campaign manager Pasquale Luz wrote in a comment that "we've been met with a groundswell of support from the people of Phoenix and Glendale including the support of the vast majority of labor unions including teachers, firefighters, carpenters, flight attendants, construction, and ironworkers in Congressional District 3."

"They trust Yassamin to deliver on the issues that matter most to them — from housing affordability and addressing homelessness to protecting abortion access. In this final week, we'll continue to speak to voters about her record of accomplishments and vision for the residents of Phoenix, Glendale, and Guadalupe," Luz continued.

In announcing Sanders’ endorsement, Terán’s campaign also highlighted that a pro-cryptocurrency political group is spending large sums to support Ansari.

“The energy and momentum is behind Raquel because we know she will fight for working people, just as she's done throughout her career. Crypto billionaires think they can influence the outcome of this race, but the people know Raquel and they know the kind of leadership she's going to bring to Congress,” Working Families Party National Director Maurice Mitchell wrote in a statement.

Because the district leans heavily Democratic, the candidate that wins the primary is expected to breeze through the general election in November. Gallego, the incumbent, is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bernie Sanders backs Raquel Terán to succeed Ruben Gallego in Congress