"Incredibly Important Moment": Warren Endorses Congressional Progressive Primary Challengers Jessica Cisneros and Marie Newman by Jessica Corbett!
(2019-09-10 at 11:36:07 )

"Incredibly Important Moment": Warren Endorses Congressional Progressive Primary Challengers Jessica Cisneros and Marie Newman by Jessica Corbett

"It is a breath of fresh air to have candidates for president who remember what the Democratic Party should stand for."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who is seeking her partys nomination for president in the 2020 race, endorsed congressional primary challengers Marnie Newman and Jessica Cisneros on Monday.

In what Justice Democrats celebrated as "an incredibly important moment," 2020 Democratic presidential primary candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday endorsed Jessica Cisneros and Marie Newman-a pair of progressive primary challengers to conservative incumbent Democrats in Congress.

Ms Cisneros, who is challenging Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Ms Marie Newman, who is challenging Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.), are both backed by Justice Democrats, which supported first-term Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in 2018, when she ousted a longtime congressman and leader in the Democratic Party, Mr. Joe Crowley.

"We are so proud that Jessica Cisneros and Marie Newman are being endorsed by Senator Warren, a strong fighter for working families," Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats, said in a statement Monday.

Ms Rojas contrasted the Massachusetts Democrats fresh endorsements with the positions of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the partys official campaign arm for the House, which has tried to stifle progressive challengers trying to unseat more right-wing incumbents.

"At a time when the DCCC is rallying around pro-NRA and anti-choice Democrats like Mr. Cuellar and Mr. Lipinski," Rojas said, "it is a breath of fresh air to have candidates for president who remember what the Democratic Party should stand for."

Ms Warren endorsing against a sitting House Democrat. Does that mean the DCCC will blacklist her? How does that work? -Ryan Grim September 9, 2019

In her endorsements Monday, Ms Warren praised the candidates progressive positions. Of 26-year old Ms Cisneros, the senator and presidential hopeful said:

-The people of Texas 28th district are ready for systematic change and deserve a Democrat that will be on the side of working people; not the side of big money and obstructionist Republicans.. I believe Ms Jessica Cisneros is that fighter. As an immigration lawyer and daughter of small business owners growing up on the border, Jessica knows our diversity is our strength and that when progressives are unapologetic about our values and who we are in this battle for, we win. It is time Texans had a champion in the United States Congress who does just that. I am proud to support Jessica.

Welcoming Ms Warrens support, Ms Cisneros said, "I am so proud to receive this endorsement from Senator Warren, who has dedicated her career to fixing our corrupt political system and fighting for working families like mine."

"Our district deserves to be represented by a true Democrat who will work in Washington,D.C. to improve the lives of her constituents, not corporate donors," Ms Cisneros added. "Senator Warrens support demonstrates that we are building the momentum we need to bring real change to South Texas."

Ms Warren knows we are fighting for social & economic justice in TX and across the country -- her support proves we have the momentum to bring true representation to TX-28 next year. Help us catch up our corporate-backed opponent by chipping in today:-Jessica Cisneros for Congress September 9, 2019

Ms Newmans 2020 primary challenge to Mr. Lipinski came after she narrowly lost to the anti-choice congressman in the last cycle. Endorsing Ms Newman Monday, Ms Warren said:

-At a time when womens reproductive rights are under attack daily from Republican lawmakers across the United States of America, Illinoisans deserve a leader with an unwavering commitment to fighting for womens access to reproductive healthcare.. Ms Marie Newman is that leader.

She understands that this is not a moment to back down-it is time to fight back. Marie will be a champion for working families and women across Illinois Third District, making sure their voices are heard in Washington,D.C. Marie knows that when women fight, women win. That is why I am proud to support Marie.

Ms Newman said Monday that "our movement in Illinois Third District is about making life more affordable for everyone so I am absolutely thrilled to receive the endorsement of Senator Elizabeth Warren who has dedicated her career to fighting for workers and working families."

"The status quo is not working," added Ms Newman. "We need a real leader in Illinois Third District, and in the White House, who will put workers, our climate, and the health of our people ahead of everything else."

Honored to receive the endorsement of Ms Warren who has dedicated her career to fighting for workers and working families. We need a real leader in #IL03-and in the White House-who will put workers, our climate, and the health of our people above everything else. -Marie Newman September 9, 2019

Reprinted here from "Common Dreams" has been providing breaking news & views for the progressive community since 1997. We are independent, non-profit, advertising-free and 100% reader supported.