Biden rolls out over a dozen congressional endorsements after latest primary wins

Joe Biden rolled out more than a dozen new congressional endorsements for his White House bid after the he further solidified his primary lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with wins in key states on Tuesday night.

The endorsements, including from several lawmakers who previously backed former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, came after the former vice president trounced Sanders in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri, padding his delegate lead in the race. Sanders took North Dakota, while Washington state’s primary is still too close to call.

The support rolled in from Democratic Reps. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.), Nita Lowey (N.Y.), Lucy McBath (Ga.), Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), Donald Norcross (N.J.), Bill Pascrell (N.J.), Scott Peters (Calif.), Max Rose (N.Y.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Mikie Sherrill (N.J.) and Juan Vargas (Calif.), as well as Stacey Plaskett, the congressional delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The lawmakers cited Biden’s perceived electability against President Trump in November and his ability to unite the country. 

“Defeating Donald Trump and replacing his inept and corrupt government is our highest priority. I believe the candidate who can best win in November, deliver victories up and down the ballot, and fight for expansion of our health care, reversing climate change, and rebuilding our middle class is my friend Joe Biden,” said Pascrell.

“America needs a president with the integrity, experience and strength to unite our diverse nation while fighting for progressive Democratic priorities,” added Norcross. “Former Vice President Joe Biden exemplifies those values, and he’s always stood up for working families in New Jersey and across the country.” 

Biden currently has endorsements from more than 90 House members and 14 senators and boasts the broadest support of the remaining primary contenders from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. 

The former vice president has emerged as the primary field’s front-runner after his campaign was left for dead following lackluster performances in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. His presidential ambitions were revived with a nearly 30-point win in South Carolina, followed by victories in 10 of 14 Super Tuesday states last week and more wins Tuesday night. 

The winning streak has given Biden a hefty delegate lead over Sanders, and Biden indicated he would start looking to the general election in November with an appeal to the Vermont lawmaker’s supporters Tuesday night. 

“I want to thank Bernie Sanders and his supporters for their tireless energy and their passion,” Biden said in Philadelphia. “We share a common goal, and together we’ll defeat Donald Trump.”