A liberal nonprofit political organization with strong ties to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has endorsed Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) in the 2024 Senate race in California.
Our Revolution announced its support for Lee during a virtual town hall Tuesday evening. She is one of three Democrats vying to replace the longest-serving female senator, Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
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The national grassroots group stemmed from Sanders's unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, working to elect liberal candidates. Sanders, who campaigned as a leader of the liberal movement, has long said he doesn't want a super PAC and refused backing from billionaires during his run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020.
Our Revolution was accused of dark-money spending during the 2020 campaign, with critics pointing out that because the organization is not a super PAC, rather a 501(c)(4), it is allowed to accept large donations without disclosure.
Lee, the former co-chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has received support from current members of the caucus, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who once teased a future Senate run himself, but now co-leads Lee's campaign, calling her a “unique voice.”
“We don't have a single African American woman in the United States Senate. She would fill that role,” Khanna said in March.
Khanna and Democratic state Assemblyman Alex Lee showed their support for Lee on Tuesday.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also offered an endorsement of Lee in May, calling her a “champion for justice” and praising the representation Lee would bring to the Senate.
Lee would be the only black woman in the U.S. Senate if she defeats her Democratic opponents Adam Schiff and Katie Porter. The 2024 contest is for an open seat; however, California Republicans are not expected to mount a serious challenge.
California has not sent a Republican senator to Washington since Sen. John Seymour was appointed to replace Sen. Pete Wilson when Wilson retired to become governor in 1991. Seymour served from Jan. 7, 1991, until Nov. 3, 1992, when he lost reelection to finish Wilson's term to Feinstein.
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“I didn’t just become a progressive. I’ve been a progressive,” Lee said, according to Politico. “I don’t remember Congressman Schiff even asking to be a member of the Progressive Caucus."
Schiff, another Senate hopeful who has been holding the lead in the polls recently with a slight edge over Porter, wanted to join the Progressive Caucus earlier this year but withdrew his application in March after his liberal credentials and voting records were questioned. Lee has been considered one of the most liberal leaders in the House for years.