Representative Richard “Rick” Nolan (D) from the 8th Congressional District received a major endorsement Sunday night from Vermont Senator and Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders (D).
The Hill, which broke the news of the endorsement, states that the presidential candidate sent an email out to supporters endorsing both Rep. Nolan and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) Sunday night.
In the email, Sanders announced his support for Nolan “for sticking with progressive ideas in the face of a tough race.” Rep. Nolan was one of the only members of publicly announce in April that he would use his superdelegate vote at the Democratic National Convention later this summer to support Sanders for President.
The Sanders campaign did not immediately return requests for comments by Alpha News.
Minnesota Republican Chair Keith Downey commented in a press release: “Rick Nolan and Socialist Bernie Sanders just won’t quit their radical agenda for Minnesota.” said Chairman Downey, “Even though Hillary Clinton is their nominee, Sanders felt compelled to endorse Nolan after Nolan had previously endorsed Sanders. The Nolan-Sanders mutual admiration society proves just how out of touch Rick Nolan is from his District. If the voters in the 8th District want someone to represent their true interests, its time to dump Nolan and vote for Stewart Mills in November.”
Rick Nolan faces a hard re-election this year as he faces a rematch against Republican-endorsed candidate Stewart Mills. Stewart Mills, the Vice President of Fleet Farm, originally ran against Nolan in 2014 and lost by 1.4% or less than 3,000 votes. Ballotpedia has listed this race as one to watch this election cycle.
Rick Nolan’s campaign did not immediately return requests for comments by Alpha News. In a statement to Alpha News, Campaign Manager for Stewart Mills Mike Lukach said: “That Rick Nolan welcomes the endorsement of self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders is not surprising when you consider Nolan’s reckless track record of supporting to bring thousands of unchecked Syrian refugees to America; shutting down Guantanamo Ba and bringing dangerous terrorists to the United States; and expanding the EPA’s harmful overreach which threatens our mining and timber industries. The Sanders endorsement also illustrates how out of touch Hillary Clinton is with Minnesotan’s in the 8th when Nolan is actively seeking praise and approval from the socialist candidate instead.”
The endorsement of Rep. Nolan by Sen. Sanders could prove harmful to Nolan who is seeking his third term in Washington. Senator Sanders has had great success with students under the age of 30 but has struggled with getting the votes of individuals over the age of 45. Census data taken in 2014 shows the largest age group in CD8 to be individuals between the ages of 45-54 years old, while the median age is 43.1.
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.