Key facts
- Some progressive allies of Senator Bernie Sanders wish he would become more involved in electoral races.
- Nina Turner believes endorsements from prominent progressives could have made a difference in a recent race.
- Rep. Ro Khanna has a more aggressive endorsement strategy, backing candidates early.
- Other factors, including limited advertising and negative press, may have impacted the race outcome.
- Dillon Sheehan noted that candidates should be able to win without endorsements from figures like Sanders or Ocasio-Cortez.
Some allies of Senator Bernie Sanders are expressing a desire for him to be more involved in electoral races, particularly following a recent primary where his endorsement was seen by some as potentially decisive. Nina Turner, a former leader with Our Revolution and a co-chair for Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, suggested that support from "more well-known, more popular, actively elected progressive types" might have altered the outcome for a candidate named Hong.
Turner commented on the need for the progressive movement to "reckon with how we continue to win around certain personalities," adding that the movement should not place all its hopes on specific individuals. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who has employed a more proactive endorsement strategy, stated that he believes progressive leaders have done an "extraordinary job lifting them up" in the current primary season.
A spokesperson for Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to comment on criticism regarding her lack of endorsement for Hong. However, not all on the left agree that the involvement of Sanders or other progressive stars would have been a deciding factor. Some point to the candidate's minimal traditional advertising and a barrage of negative press concerning past social media comments as more significant headwinds. Additionally, two candidates dropped out after voting began, potentially siphoning votes.
Dillon Sheehan, secretary for the Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America, acknowledged that prominent progressives like Sanders "could have put her over the edge." However, Sheehan also emphasized the importance of candidates being able to win without Sanders' endorsement, stating, "he's not going to be able to endorse forever." Sheehan concluded that the candidate "did fantastic" even without endorsements from Sanders or Ocasio-Cortez.