Former President Obama announced his first batch of 2020 endorsements on Monday, giving support to Democrats looking to defend or flip seats in multiple tight races.
“I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats. 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 an announcement published on Medium.
He also urged Americans, if possible, to vote early, either by mail or in-person.
Obama endorsed a range of Democrats seeking both federal and state-level offices, including candidates in four of the tightest Senate races for seats held by Republicans.
He backed Cal Cunningham, the Democrat facing North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R); Theresa Greenfield, who is seeking to unseat Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R); Sara Gideon, who is running a close race against Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R); and John Hickenlooper, the former Democratic Colorado governor challenging Sen. Cory Gardner (R). The four races are the six Senate ones rated as a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report.
Obama also endorsed Jaime Harrison, a Democrat challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Harrison said he is honored to receive Obama’s endorsement and will “continue to fight to restore hope to South Carolinians in the midst of this pandemic.”
Obama’s first wave of endorsements also includes support for candidates seeking reelection in some of the tightest House races after flipping seats in the 2018 midterms, such as Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) and Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa).
He’s also backing California Democratic state Assemblywoman Christy Smith, who is running in the 25th Congressional District after losing a special election to Republican Mike Garcia in May to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Katie Hill. Smith is looking to flip the seat back for Democrats. It was held by Republicans before Hill flipped it in 2018.
Obama also backed Jamaal Bowman, a former middle school principal who defeated longtime Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y) in a House primary earlier this summer.