Bernie Sanders Backs PA Congressional Candidate

PITTSBURGH, PA — State Rep. Summer Lee got a boost for her congressional candidacy Thursday when Vermont senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders endorsed her. Lee is running for the Democratic nomination in the 12th Congressional District, which includes Pittsburgh.

Lee is seeking to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle.

"As an experienced community organizer, Summer Lee understands that working people desperately need leaders in Congress who will stand up to big money interests and fight for an agenda that puts the working class first,” Sanders said in a statement.

"Summer has been a champion for Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, expanding voting rights, and a Green New Deal, and I know she will continue to fight for those ideas when she is in the congress."

Lee, 33, from the suburban Pittsburgh community of Swissvale has the support of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and the Justice Democrats, according to CNN. The group aided New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's bid for Congress and has backed a number of other leftist candidates.

Doyle, meanwhile, has backed Pittsburgh attorney Steve Irwin to be his successor. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald also has endorsed him.

University of Pittsburgh professor Jerry Dickinson also is running.

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