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Kamala Harris Nabs Her First Congressional Endorsement In 2020 Race

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Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris, of California, waves to the crowd as she formally launches her presidential campaign at a rally in her hometown of Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
By Mollie Reilly
Black Voices

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) endorsed Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) for president on Monday, making him the first member of Congress to back her 2020 campaign.

Lieu announced his endorsement on Twitter:

“I endorse @KamalaHarris for President. Known Kamala for many years & worked together on various issues. She embraces the future, not the past, and is the person we need to move America forward. Watch the tonight at 7 pm PT / 10 pm ET to learn more about Kamala.”

CNN also tweeted about Harris:

“What makes Sen. Kamala Harris different from other democratic candidates? Find out what she thinks when she answers Iowa voters’ questions at the #HarrisTownHall with @JakeTapper. Tonight at 10p ET only on CNN”
Lieu, who represents part of Los Angeles, has served in Congress since 2015. Like Harris, Lieu is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
“We’re proud to have his support,” said Harris press secretary Ian Sams.

With the field of Democratic candidates still emerging, very few politicians have made public endorsements in the 2020 race. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) endorsed his twin brother, former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro. Harris also has the backing of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

Lieu’s endorsement came one day after Harris formally kicked off her presidential campaign with a rally in Oakland, her hometown. During the event, Harris vowed to fight “for the people” and criticized Trump for dividing the country.

“America, we are better than this,” she told the crowd of roughly 20,000 people. “People in power are trying to convince us that the villain in our American story is each other. But that is not our story. That is not who we are. That’s not our America.”

Several other presidential hopefuls, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), have also entered the race, while others, including former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), are still considering running.

This story has been updated with a quote from Ian Sams.

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