Democracy for America endorses in California House primary
Democracy for America (DFA) is backing Nanette Barragán’s bid to replace Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Calif.) in what could be one of the tightest House primaries in the nation.
“Nanette Barragán hasn’t simply spoken out against income inequality and for racial justice, she’s led the charge against the wealthy and powerful interests that block the progressive change our country needs,” Jim Dean, the DFA’s chairman, said in a statement provided to The Hill.
{mosads}”We need more leaders in Congress with the courage, integrity, and commitment to progressive values that Nanette has demonstrated throughout her career, and that’s why we could not be more excited to stand with the grassroots campaign she’s building in Los Angeles.”
The powerful progressive group, which touts 230,000 members in California in addition to 1 million members across the globe, could provide a substantial boost to Barragán’s effort to defeat state Sen. Isadore Hall (D), who is also running for the seat with Hahn’s backing.
The DFA also recently backed Bernie Sanders in his Democratic White House bid against Hillary Clinton.
Barragán is an attorney and daughter of Mexican immigrants who served in local government. She’s been endorsed by EMILY’s List, the Latino Victory Project and the League of Conservation Voters, along with a handful of federal lawmakers, including key Hispanic lawmakers like Reps. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas), Lorretta Sanchez and Linda Sánchez, both California Democrats, Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.).
Hall has served in statewide politics since 2008, first in the state assembly before moving to the state Senate. He has the backing of many establishment politicians, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. He’s also supported by a significant number of high-profile black federal lawmakers, including Reps. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio,) a former Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman.
California holds “jungle” primaries, putting all candidates into a primary race regardless of political party. The top two overall vote-getters move on to a general election against each other.
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