NJ Progressives Stay Hopeful After Sanders Ends Presidential Bid

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The good news for New Jersey supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont? The progressive icon will still be on the ballot for the Garden State’s primary election.

The bad news? He almost certainly won’t be elected president in 2020.

On Wednesday, Sanders – who had previously been neck-to-neck with former Vice President Joe Biden in their quest for the Democratic Party nomination – announced that he’s suspending his campaign.

“I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour,” Sanders said over a livestream Wednesday morning.

• See related article: Bernie Sanders Ends Presidential Campaign

After Sanders announced the end of his president campaign, progressives across Essex County and New Jersey offered messages of thanks – and hope.

Larry Hamm, a longtime Newark activist who is running for a 2020 U.S. Senate seat, tweeted that the fight isn't over for those who still believe in Sanders' platform.

"We are not going anywhere," advocacy group Our Revolution Essex County agreed. "Senator Bernie Sanders, thank you for inspiring millions and for creating this unprecedented movement. Campaigns end. Revolutions endure."

Sanders said he will remain on the ballot in states that still have primaries scheduled and will continue to gather delegates — a way of carrying his message forward and influencing the Democratic platform, according to The New York Times.

Delegate candidates who filed to run on his slate will remain on the ballot unless they proactively decide to drop out of the race, the New Jersey Globe reported. Sanders can win delegates if he captures 15 percent of the vote in individual delegate districts, or later if he gathers at least 15 percent statewide.

Former vice president Biden extended a hand to Sanders.

“Bernie has put his heart and soul into not only running for president, but for the causes and issues he has been dedicated to his whole life," Biden said. “Bernie has done something rare in politics. He hasn't just run a political campaign; he's created a movement.”

Biden gained the support of several high-profile Democratic leaders last month, including Mikie Sherrill, who represents District 11 (Essex, Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties).

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, who endorsed Biden following his own exit from the 2020 presidential race, offered a message of solidarity to Sanders on Wednesday.

Other top Garden State Democrats that have recently endorsed Biden include New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney and U.S. Reps. Donald Norcross (District 1), Josh Gottheimer (District 5), Tom Malinowski (District 7) and Bill Pascrell Jr. (District 9).

• See related article: Several NJ Congress Members Endorse Joe Biden For President
• See related article: Menendez Blasts Sanders, Calls Beating Trump Is 'Job 1'

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