Full Breakdown
Bernie Sanders Endorses 61 Progressive Candidates for State and Local Offices Across the United States
5/16/2026, 2:01:15 AM
Sanders' Nationwide Endorsement Drive
On Friday, Senator Bernie Sanders announced his endorsement of 61 progressive candidates running for state legislatures, city councils, county commissions and mayoral races in 23 states, from Arizona and Georgia to New Jersey and Washington. The endorsements span a range of offices, including city council seats in Los Angeles, a mayoral bid in Fontana, California, and state Senate districts in Colorado, Georgia and New York. Sanders framed the endorsements as a response to what he described as a “pivotal and dangerous moment” in American politics, urging voters to elect officials who will confront the billionaire class and advance bold policy solutions.
Background: Sanders' Ongoing Political Revolution
Sanders, the 84-year-old independent who caucuses with Democrats, launched the Fighting Oligarchy Tour after President Donald Trump’s 2020 election win. Over the past 15 months, his organization has recruited more than 8,500 Americans to run for office, many as independents, building a multiracial, multigenerational working-class movement. The current endorsement slate follows his previous support for Senate candidates Peggy Flanagan (Minnesota), Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (Michigan) and Graham Platner (Maine), as well as progressive congressional hopefuls such as Dr. Adam Hamawy (New Jersey).
Candidate Landscape: Endorsed Progressives
- Arizona: Bobby Nichols (Tempe City Council); Analise Ortiz (State Senate District 24); Mariana Sandoval (State House District 23); Brian Garcia (State House District 8); Lorena Austin and Jacob Martinez (State House District 9).
- California: Jessie Lopez (Assembly District 68); Ada Briceño (District 67); Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (District 65); Sandra Celedon (District 31); Joz Sida (Fontana mayor); Marissa Roy (Los Angeles city attorney); Hugo Soto-Martinez (LA City Council District 13); Faizah Malik (District 11); Estuardo Mazariegos (District 9); Eunisses Hernandez (District 1).
- Colorado: Chela Garcia Irlando (State Senate District 34); Gabriel Cervantes (State House District 31); Tyler Quick (Adams County Commission).
- Georgia: Ruwa Romman (State Senate District 7).
- New York: Yuh-Line Niou (State Senate District 27); Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (District 13); Aber Kawas (District 12); a slate of Assembly candidates including Adam Bojak (District 149) and Maurice Brown (District 129).
- Other states: Endorsements also include Kyandra Darling (Florida, State House District 62), India May (Iowa, State House District 58), Scott Houldieson (Indiana Senate District 1), Frank Henderson (Kansas House District 6), Robert LeVertis Bell (Kentucky House District 43), Eboni Taylor (Michigan Senate District 3), Justice Horn (Missouri’s Jackson County Legislature), Tick Segerblom (Nevada Clark County Commission), Ali Aljarrah (New Jersey Passaic County Commission), Daisy Maldonado (New Mexico Doña Ana County Commission), and numerous others in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and more.
Data Overview
- Total endorsements: 61 progressive candidates.
- Geographic spread: 23 states, covering the West Coast, Midwest, South and Northeast.
- Office types: State Senate, State House, city council, mayoral, county commission and city attorney positions.
Official Statements & Responses
Sanders emphasized that the United States faces a crisis requiring leaders who will “take on the billionaire class and fight for working families.” He portrayed the endorsed slate as part of a broader effort to counter “Trump’s authoritarianism and kleptocracy,” and to provide “an alternative to the Democratic establishment, which is significantly dominated by big-money interests.” The senator framed the endorsements as a step toward a national movement built from the ground up.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In this pivotal and dangerous moment in our country's history, we need leaders at every level of government who are prepared to take on the billionaire class and fight for working families.” — Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator
- “Today, I am proud to endorse 61 progressives running for state and local office across America,” — Bernie Sanders
- “We're building a movement for the future,” — Bernie Sanders
- “Our effort is to lead a national movement against Trump's authoritarianism and kleptocracy and unnecessary wars and his contempt for the Constitution,” — Bernie Sanders
- “But equally important, the American people need an alternative to the Democratic establishment, which is significantly dominated by big-money interests.” — Bernie Sanders
What Lies Ahead
The endorsed candidates are set to compete in upcoming state and local elections, where their campaigns will test the reach of Sanders’ grassroots network and its capacity to influence electoral outcomes across the nation.
