Barack Obama issues first round of 2020 endorsements but leaves AOC off 118-name list

Barack Obama issued an endorsement list of 118 candidates on Monday morning, including backing Senator Lindsey Graham’s Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison.

‘I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats,’ the former president tweeted. ‘If you’re in one of their districts or states, make sure you vote for them this fall.’

The list noticeably skipped over progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is running for reelection in New York in November. 

He also urged people to vote by mail, despite President Donald Trump spending the last week railing against the remote voting measure.

‘And if you can, vote early—by mail or in person,’ Obama posted along with a link to a statement posted on Medium along with his endorsement list.

Harrison, who became the candidate after all other candidates withdrew or were disqualified, is the associate Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and served from 2013-2017 as the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

‘I’m running to #BringHopeBack to South Carolina and @BarackObama knows a thing or two about hope,’ Harrison tweeted after Obama’s endorsement went public.

‘Thank you for your endorsement and for the path you paved for folks like me to run for high office. Let’s do this!’ he continued, adding a second tweet a link to donate to his campaign. 

Former President Barack Obama issued his first round of 2020 congressional endorsements with a list of 118 candidates 

The list included Jaime Harrison, an associate chairman of the DNC who is running against South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham

The list included Jaime Harrison, an associate chairman of the DNC who is running against South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham 

Graham is one of Trump's biggest allies on Capitol Hill and the two frequently are seen golfing together – he has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003

Graham is one of Trump’s biggest allies on Capitol Hill and the two frequently are seen golfing together – he has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003

Obama, in his tweet announcing the endorsements, included four pages of Democratic candidates he is endorsing

Obama, in his tweet announcing the endorsements, included four pages of Democratic candidates he is endorsing

Obama tweeted out four images with the list of candidates he is backing in November

Obama tweeted out four images with the list of candidates he is backing in November

 

The list noticeably did not mention high-profile progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is running for reelection in November – even though Obama did endorse six other House candidates in New York

The list noticeably did not mention high-profile progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is running for reelection in November – even though Obama did endorse six other House candidates in New York

Graham, who is a Trump ally on Capitol Hill and is frequently seen golfing with the president, is up for reelection in November. 

He will face off against Harrison, who is black – which could carry more weight in the midst of prevailing nationwide Black Lives Matter protests.

South Carolina’s population, according to the 2017 census, shows the state’s demographic makeup is more than 27 per cent black.

Graham, however, holds a lot of weight in the southern state, which he has represented in the U.S. Senate since 2003.

In his last reelection bid in 2014, Graham won with 55.3 per cent of the vote.

The state is also still largely Republican as it went red in the 2016 presidential election with 54.9 per cent voting for Trump compared to the 40.7 per cent that casted their ballot for Hillary Clinton.

‘Three months from today, we’re firing @LindseyGrahamSC,’ Harrison tweeted Monday morning.

Obama also urged in his tweet Monday that Americans vote early by sending in mail-in ballots, a measure Trump has railed against in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

Obama also urged in his tweet Monday that Americans vote early by sending in mail-in ballots, a measure Trump has railed against in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

Obama did not endorse his former Vice President Joe Biden until he became the presumed Democratic nominee earlier this year, and waited to wade into the congressional races until the majority of the primary competitions had decided the candidate.

The former president, who is still the most popular Democrat in the country, did not want to influence the outcome of elections and largely avoided weighing in publicly.

‘Together, these candidates will help us redeem our country’s promise by sticking up for working class people, restoring fairness and opportunity to our system, and fighting for the good of all Americans — not just those at the top,’ Obama said in a statement attached to his endorsements.

Obama endorsed the candidate taking on North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis (pictured), one of the Republican Senate seats considered most vulnerable in November

Obama endorsed the candidate taking on North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis (pictured), one of the Republican Senate seats considered most vulnerable in November

‘They make me optimistic,’ he continued, ‘not just about our party’s chances in November, but about our country’s future long after that.’

Also on Obama’s lengthy endorsement list is Cal Cunningham, who is challenging North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, whose seat is considered to be one of the most vulnerable Republican seats in November.

He is also backing Theresa Greenfield, who is looking to unseat Iowa Senator Joni Ernst; Sara Gideon who wants Maine Senator Susan Collins’ seat; and John Hickenlooper, the former Colorado governor who previously ran against Biden in the presidential race, who is now challenging Senator Cory Gardner.

The four races are among those considered a ‘toss-up’ by the Cook Political Report.

Obama has also kept quiet regarding Trump’s actions until more recently, when he became much more vocal in his criticism of his successor – including going against the president’s desire to hold elections in person.

Trump railed against widespread mail-in voting in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic Monday morning.

‘In an illegal late night coup, Nevada’s clubhouse Governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state,’ Trump lamented on Twitter. ‘Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using Covid to steal the state. See you in Court!’

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