In the aftermath of the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has addressed the criticism from progressives who blamed his lack of endorsement for Francesca Hong’s narrow defeat. Sanders argued that his political operation has limited resources and cannot endorse every candidate.
Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), entered the primary as the polling favorite but lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley by approximately 3,000 votes. The outcome has ignited a heated discussion within the progressive movement about the role of national endorsements in local races.
Sanders’ Defense and the Resource Constraint
Sanders told Politico that his team has limited resources and cannot endorse every candidate, even those who are highly regarded. He praised Hong for running a strong grassroots campaign but emphasized the practical limitations of his political operation.
My response is that we have limited resources and capabilities, and there are a lot of really great candidates who have run for office who we have not endorsed Sanders stated. He further noted that We can’t endorse every single candidate.
The Progressive Backlash and Calls for Solidarity
The result of the primary triggered a wave of criticism from some of Sanders’ allies and other figures on the left. Nathan J. Robinson, editor of the left-wing magazine Current Affairs argued that Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) were directly responsible for Hong’s loss.
Deep Singh Badhesha, a DSA political operative, suggested that a single rally from Sanders or Ocasio-Cortez could have tipped the race in Hong’s favor. Cenk Uygur, co-founder of the Young Turks and Justice Democrats echoed this sentiment, stating that endorsements from prominent left-wing leaders can significantly impact races.
Uygur also questioned Sanders’ earlier explanation for staying out of the race, noting that Sanders’ team should have been aware of the candidates running for governor in Wisconsin.
The Role of National Endorsements in Local Races
The debate over national endorsements in local races highlights the broader tension within the progressive movement. Some argue that prominent figures like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have a responsibility to support candidates throughout the country, while others believe that local races should be decided by local factors.
Our Revolution, an organization created out of Sanders’ presidential campaign, criticized the broader left-wing movement for gatekeeping and called for greater solidarity. Sanders, however, distanced himself from the organization, stating that he has not had any interaction with it for nearly a decade.
Despite the criticism, Sanders pointed to several far-left candidates he endorsed who won their respective Democratic primaries, expressing satisfaction with his political operation’s efforts. Needless to say, I’m feeling really very good Sanders said.
The outcome of the Wisconsin primary serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics within the progressive movement and the role of national endorsements in shaping local races. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the debate over strategy and solidarity is likely to persist.
