2020 Presidential Campaign Blog

Lilly Ledbetter Endorses Joe Biden for President

Lilly Ledbetter Endorses Joe Biden
Endorsement Comes on Equal Pay Day

Today, as the nation marks Equal Pay Day, Lilly Ledbetter released the following statement endorsing Joe Biden for President of the United States:

“This is the first time in more than 12 years that I am at home on Equal Pay Day. I'm usually in some part of the country with a huge crowd of women and men who are dedicated to closing the pay gap. Instead I am staying home, watching along with so many other people as the current president shows Americans just how little he cares about working families.

“As Equal Pay Day reminds us, women are paid far less than men. This pandemic is only increasing the inequalities facing women in this country. As the majority of the health care workforce, women are on the frontlines of this crisis, at times putting their own health at risk or separating from their families, while taking care of our country’s sick and vulnerable. And, as this crisis forces women to work from home, work fewer hours, lose their jobs, many at the same time are taking care of their families or trying to teach their kids at home. Yet they still face paycheck discrimination, just like I did so many years ago.

“I know Joe Biden. He understands what it’s like to be a single parent. And, he will fight for equal pay and working women, just as he always has. That’s why I am proud to endorse him to be our next president.”

Ledbetter won a historic gender pay discrimination case against her employer, Goodyear Tire and Rubbery Company, after she was paid less than her male counterparts simply because she was a woman. When the Supreme Court overturned the case, she took her fight to Congress and lobbied for a legislative fix. She is the namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first piece of legislation signed into law during the Obama-Biden Administration.

Equal Pay Day symbolizes how far into 2020 the average woman has to work to make what the average white man made in 2019.For every dollar a man makes, the average woman makes 82 cents. For a woman who works full time, year round, that’s a gap of more than $10,000 annually and over $400,000 over a forty-year career. The pay gap is even wider for women of color.

The pay gap has significant impacts on American families and our economy overall. If women earned as much as men, the poverty rate for working single women and the children who live with them would be cut in half.

Biden for President has previously announced more than 2,500 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals.

Former Senator Mark Begich and Alaska Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

Former Senator Mark Begich and Alaska Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

Today, former Senator Mark Begich and 27 elected and community leaders from across Alaska announced their endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the United States.

“In these uncertain times, our country needs a President who knows how to lead and knows how to guide a nation in crisis. Joe Biden is battle tested and I feel confident that on day one he will get to work and get our country back on track for families in Alaska and across the country,” said former Senator Mark Begich. “His experience and empathy set him apart and that is how I know Joe is the best candidate to take on Donald Trump and help elect Democrats all across the United States. I’m proud to endorse him.”

Begich served in the United States Senate from 2009 to 2015. Prior to that he was the Mayor of Anchorage and served in the Anchorage Assembly.

Today’s endorsements also include:
• Fran Ulmer, Former Lieutenant Governor of Alaska
• Elvira Gray-Jackson, Alaska State Senator
• Donny Olson, Alaska State Senator
• Zack Fields, Alaska State Representative
• Matt Claman, Alaska State Representative
• Harriet Dummond, Alaska State Representative
• Chris Tuck, Alaska State Representative
• Andy Josephsen, Alaska State Representative
• Kay Brown, Former Alaska State Representative
• Beth Kertulla, Former Alaska State Representative
• Deborah Bonito, Former First Lady of Anchorage
• Pat Abney, Former Anchorage Assemblymember
• Veronica Slajer, Community Leader
• Diane DiSanto, Community Leader
• Johnny Ellis, Former Alaska State Senator and State Representative
• Mike Szmanski, Former Alaska State Senator and State Representative
• Les Gara, Former Alaska State Representative
• Lois Epstein, Community Leader
• Hollis French, Former Democratic Leader, Alaska State Senate
• Alberta Gardner, Former Democratic Leader, Alaska State Senate
• Sue Libenson, Community Leader
• Kimberly Metcalfe, Former Democratic National Committee Member
• David Ramseur, Community Leader
• John Rubini, Community Leader
• Greer Gehler, Community Leader
• Sue Libenson, Community Leader
• Jason Nelson, Community Leader
• Karl Ohls, Community Leader

Biden for President has previously announced more than 2,500 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals.

The health and safety of our staff, supporters, and the general public is Biden for President’s number one priority. During this pandemic, we are calling on all voters to follow social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. Officials with the Alaska Democratic Party have issued precautions to ensure you can exercise your right to vote by holding a primary that is only vote-by-mail. Learn more at joebiden.com/voter-guide.

42 Hawaiʻi Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

42 Hawaiʻi Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

Following last week’s launch of Hawaiʻi for Biden, 42 elected and community leaders from across Hawaiʻi announced their endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the United States.

Today’s endorsements include:
• Colleen Hanabusa, former Member of Congress
• Ron Kouchi, President of the Hawaiʻi State Senate
• Scott Saiki, Speaker of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives
• Della Belatti, Majority Leader, Hawaiʻi House of Representatives
• Doug Chin, Former Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi
• Shan Tsutsui, Former Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi
• Donovan Dela Cruz, Hawaiʻi State Senator
• Lorraine Inouye, Hawaiʻi State Senator
• Michelle Kidani, Hawaiʻi State Senator
• Laura Thielen, Hawaiʻi State Senator
• Stacelynn Eli, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Sharon Har, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Troy Hashimoto, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Aaron Johanson, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Sam Kong, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Sylvia Luke, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Scot Matayoshi, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• John Mizuno, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Dee Morikawa, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Nadine Nakamura, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Takashi Ohno, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Gregg Takayama, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Jimmy Tokioka, Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Bobby Bunda, Former Hawaiʻi State Senator
• Brickwood Galuteria, Former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Chair of the Hawaiʻi Democratic Party
• Pohai Ryan, Former Hawaiʻi State Senator
• Marilyn Lee, Former Hawaiʻi State Representative
• David Morihara, Former Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Hermina Morita, Former Hawaiʻi State Representative
• Brandon Elefante, Honolulu City Councilmember
• Joey Manahan, Honolulu City Councilmember
• Ann Kobayashi, Honolulu City Councilmember
• Riki Hokama, Maui County Councilmember
• Tasha Kama, Maui County Councilmember
• Valerie Poindexter, Hawaiʻi County Councilmember
• Luke Evslin, Kauaʻi County Councilmember
• Ross Kagawa, Kauaʻi County Councilmember
• Justin Kollar, Kauaʻi County Prosecuting Attorney
• William Fernandez, Former Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge and Mayor of Sunnyvale, CA, current resident of Kauaʻi
• Judy Fernandez, Community Leader
• Dileep Bal, Former District Health Officer for the Island of Kauaʻi
• Lorraine Akiba, Former Commissioner on the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission

These endorsements build on the growing support for Joe Biden in Hawaiʻi, from leaders like former Governors George Ariyoshi, John Waiheʻe, Ben Cayetano, and Neil Abercrombie, as well labor unions such as the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association (HFFA) and the Ironworkers Union Local 625.

Biden for President has previously announced more than 2,500 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals.

The health and safety of our staff, supporters, and the general public is Biden for President’s number one priority. During this pandemic, we are calling on all voters to follow social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. Officials with the Hawaiʻi Democratic Party have issued precautions to ensure you can exercise your right to vote by holding a primary that is only vote-by-mail. Learn more at joebiden.com/voter-guide.

40 Wisconsin Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

40 Wisconsin Leaders Endorse Joe Biden for President

Today, 40 Wisconsin leaders announced their support for Joe Biden – citing his service alongside President Barack Obama, bold vision for the future, and unique ability to steer the country through this crisis.

“Amid panic, pandemic and economic downfall, Joe Biden has been the leader America has counted on to help us heal and come back stronger than ever,” said former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. “We need a president who never loses sight of the challenges working people face, and who will fight tooth-and-nail to make sure they not only survive, but thrive. That's always been the Joe Biden I've known as Wisconsin's governor, and he's the leader who will unite and carry this country forward.”

“The current pandemic is inhibiting all facets of daily life for Wisconsinites and we need a leader whose compassion for their livelihoods is clear — and that's been Joe Biden from the outset,” said Wisconsin State Senator and Democratic Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “Time and again, Joe Biden has focused squarely on the challenges working people face, then never quitting until he delivers for them. In this current crisis where workers have been laid off and families who can't pay their bills are in fear of what's to come — Joe Biden has demonstrated the calm, steady leadership we need to pull together and make it through. It's time to restore confidence in the White House instead of more fear and fraying in our communities. It's time to elect Joe Biden.”

“More than ever, our country needs tested leadership that can provide our communities with the confidence and clear direction they deserve — that's Joe Biden,” said Wisconsin State Representative and Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh). “With Joe Biden's experience and steady hand at the wheel, we can restore certainty for American families and dignity for American workers in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and across America.”

“As an alum of both Obama campaigns, this election is personal to me,” said Chris Walton, Chairman of the Milwaukee County Democrats. “Joe Biden was a loyal, dedicated partner to President Obama – as Vice President, Joe worked tirelessly to pass Obamacare, expand LGBTQ rights, and fight the existential threat of climate change. Now, Joe is undoubtedly the best candidate to beat Donald Trump and get bold, progressive ideas across the finish line. But most importantly, Joe is ready to lead and steer us through a crisis – he’s the type of candidate Democrats need to meet this moment, and that’s why I’ll be casting my ballot for Joe Biden.”

Leaders announcing their support for Vice President Biden include:
Jim Doyle, former Governor of Wisconsin
Chris Walton, Chairman of the Milwaukee County Democrats
Jennifer Shilling, Wisconsin State Senator from La Crosse
Gordon Hintz, Wisconsin State House Minority Leader from Osh Kosh
Gary Hebl, Wisconsin State Senator from Sun Prairie
Timothy Carpenter, Wisconsin State Senator from Milwaukee
Christine Sinicki, Wisconsin State Representative from Milwaukee
Dianne Hesselbein, Wisconsin State Representative from Middleton
Jason Fields, Wisconsin State Representative from Milwaukee
Lisa Subeck, Wisconsin State Representative from Madison
LaKeisha Myers, Wisconsin State Representative from Milwaukee
Mike Sheridan, former Speaker of the Wisconsin House from Janesville
Dana Wachs, former Wisconsin State Representative from Eau Claire
Deb Kolste, Wisconsin State Representative from Milwaukee
Amanda Stuck, Wisconsin State Representative from Appleton
John T. Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney
Gary Lemke, Village President from Potter
David Cullen, Milwaukee County Treasurer
Tony Staskunas, Milwaukee County Supervisor
Israel Ramon, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds
Tom Sieber, Brown County Supervisor from Green Bay
Jason Knoll, Dane County Supervisor from Verona
Andrew Schauer, Dane County Supervisor
Scott McDonnell, Dane County Clerk
Clint Anderson, Beloit City Councilmember
Trevor Jung, Alderman from Racine
Ryan Sorenson, Sheboygan City Councilman
Chantia Lewis, Alderwoman and U.S. Air Force Veteran from Milwaukee
Mo Cheeks, former Alder from Madison
Kathleen Arciszewski, former Milwaukee County Supervisor
Khary Penebaker, gun violence survivor and advocate from Waukesha
Tricia Zunker, School Committee Member and candidate for United States Congress in the Seventh Congressional District from Wausau
John Zapfel, Political Director for IBEW Local 494 and candidate for City of Oconomowoc District 4 Alderman
Mike Tate, former Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party
Rev. Daryn Crenshaw, Pastor at Christ Community Baptist Church in Racine
Rev. J.K. Patterson, retired pastor from Milwaukee
Kevin Conroy, CEO of Exact Sciences from Madison
Sheila Conroy, Community Activist from Madison
Ann Jacobs, Attorney from Milwaukee
Christine Bremer-Muggli, Attorney and former Democratic National Committee member from Fond du Lac

Nationally, Biden for President has previously announced more than 2,500 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals. National unions representing a range of other workers and professions have also endorsed Biden, including the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), National Education Association (NEA), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers (IW), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).

The health and safety of our staff, supporters, and the general public is Biden for President’s number one priority. During this pandemic, we are calling on all voters to follow social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. Officials in Wisconsin have issued precautions to ensure you can exercise your right to vote while following social distancing guidelines. Any registered Wisconsin voter may request a vote-by-mail ballot online. A request for a vote-by-mail ballot must be made by Thursday, April 2 at 5 PM. Learn more at joebiden.com/voter-guide.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Endorses Joe Biden for President

AFSCME Endorses Joe Biden for President

Today, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents 1.4 million public service workers across the country, issued the following press release announcing its endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the United States:
AFSCME Endorses Biden, “A Champion for Working People”

Presidential race now a “once in a lifetime” decision between a seasoned leader “with a gut level understanding of what keeps working people up at night” and a president who “kicks working people to the curb”

Vice President Biden's strong pro-worker record - including support for public service workers, health care for all, union rights for all workers - underpinned endorsement vote
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a union of 1.4 million public service workers nationwide, has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for President. The endorsement was made by a unanimous vote of the union’s 35-member International Executive Board, which convened its quarterly meeting by phone because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“For decades, Joe Biden has been a champion for working people, the labor movement and public service workers,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “He shares our values, and he will fight for our voice on the job and our seat at the table. He has a gut-level understanding of the challenges and struggles keeping working families awake at night. He knows that the union difference means better jobs and stronger communities, an economy that extends opportunity to everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”

Vice President Biden’s pro-worker platform includes:
Supporting state and local governments to ensure public service workers have the tools they need to do their jobs;
Protecting and expanding on the Affordable Care Act to lower costs, increase choice and simplify the system;
Increasing college affordability and alleviating student debt, including for people who work in public service;
Strengthening the freedom of all workers to bargain collectively and join together in a union.
By contrast, President Donald Trump, despite promising to look out for America’s “forgotten” men and women, has further rigged the economy against them, enriching himself and his billionaire friends, including:
A trillion dollar tax giveaway overwhelmingly benefiting the rich;
Relentless efforts – through legislation, regulation and the courts – to take health care coverage away from working families, including protections for pre-existing conditions;
Attacks on civil rights, including workers’ rights by rewarding anti-worker advocates with powerful positions of influence;
Attacks on public education, retirement security and food assistance.
Instead of making an early endorsement, AFSCME encouraged all the candidates to engage with members and learn more about their work in public service. The result was a primary campaign that put labor’s priorities front and center, with candidates embracing unions unapologetically, in a way unseen in national politics in many years.

In August 2019, AFSCME hosted the 2020 Public Service Forum in Las Vegas, where members had the opportunity to hear from and pose questions to 19 presidential candidates. Similar gatherings were held around the Iowa and Nevada caucuses. AFSCME also educated members about the candidates’ platforms and conducted polls that gave members the opportunity to register their views.

“The contrast in the upcoming general election could not be clearer,” Saunders added. “The last several weeks have demonstrated more clearly than ever that Donald Trump, in addition to pursuing an agenda that kicks working people to the curb, does not have the right stuff to capably lead the nation through a grave public health crisis. He has tried every way possible to destroy the Affordable Care Act – even supporting a lawsuit currently before the Supreme Court to have it ruled unconstitutional –and leave Americans with pre-existing conditions out in the cold. This is not the moment, in the middle of a pandemic, to undermine people’s health care.

“Vice President Biden is equal to the task and then some. He is a seasoned leader with the temperament and character to help Americans pull together in challenging and uncertain times. And he recognizes the urgency of helping public service workers who are on the front lines of containing the coronavirus pandemic.

“This has been a competitive and spirited battle for the Democratic nomination, with all candidates making valuable contributions to the debate over the country’s future. But now is the moment for unity and solidarity. The stakes are too high for anything less. This is a once-in-a-lifetime election. There is no higher priority than denying Donald Trump a second term. It is time for Democrats, union members and all working people to organize and mobilize to make Joe Biden the 46th President of the United States.”

National unions representing a range of other workers and professions have also endorsed Biden, including the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), National Education Association (NEA), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers (IW), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).

Statement from Senator Rand Paul

Statement from Senator Rand Paul

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released the following statement:

“Given that my wife and I had traveled extensively during the weeks prior to COVID-19 social distancing practices, and that I am at a higher risk for serious complications from the virus due to having part of my lung removed seven months ago, I took a COVID-19 test when I arrived in D.C. last Monday. I felt that it was highly unlikely that I was positive since I have had no symptoms of the illness, nor have I had contact with anyone who has either tested positive for the virus or been sick.

“Since nearly every member of the U.S. Senate travels by plane across the country multiple times per week and attends lots of large gatherings, I believed my risk factor for exposure to the virus to be similar to that of my colleagues, especially since multiple congressional staffers on the Hill had already tested positive weeks ago.

“As for my attendance at the Speed Art Museum fundraiser on March 7, unlike the other Kentucky government officials there, I had zero contact or proximity with either of the two individuals who later announced they were positive for COVID-19. The event was a large affair of hundreds of people spread throughout the museum.

“There was an announcement by the Museum and Metro Louisville Communicable Disease department that “those who public health officials consider at higher risk from possible exposure are being notified.” Louisville’s health director put out a statement in The Courier Journal that “most of the people at the Speed Ball were at ‘very minimal risk.’” I was not considered to be at risk since I never interacted with the two individuals even from a distance and was not recommended for testing by health officials.

“I believe we need more testing immediately, even among those without symptoms. The nature of COVID-19 put me – and us all – in a Catch-22 situation. I didn’t fit the criteria for testing or quarantine. I had no symptoms and no specific encounter with a COVID-19 positive person. I had, however, traveled extensively in the U.S. and was required to continue doing so to vote in the Senate. That, together with the fact that I have a compromised lung, led me to seek testing. Despite my positive test result, I remain asymptomatic for COVID-19.

“For those who want to criticize me for lack of quarantine, realize that if the rules on testing had been followed to a tee, I would never have been tested and would still be walking around the halls of the Capitol. The current guidelines would not have called for me to get tested nor quarantined. It was my extra precaution, out of concern for my damaged lung, that led me to get tested.

“Perhaps it is too much to ask that we simply have compassion for our fellow Americans who are sick or fearful of becoming so. Thousands of people want testing. Many, like David Newman of The Walking Dead, are sick with flu symptoms and are being denied testing. This makes no sense.

“The broader the testing and the less finger-pointing we have, the better. America is strong. We are a resilient people, but we’re stronger when we stand together.”

Statement from Office of Senator Rand Paul on Testing Positive for COVID-19

Statement from Office of Senator Rand Paul on Testing Positive for COVID-19

 

Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person. He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Paul.

 

Sergio Gor

Deputy Chief of Staff

Office of Senator Rand Paul

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Endorses Joe Biden for President

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Endorses Joe Biden for President

Today, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which represents 1.7 million educators and paraprofessionals across the country, issued the following press release announcing its endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the United States:
American Federation of Teachers Endorses Joe Biden for President
The American Federation of Teachers’ executive council voted today to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary as the party’s nominee for president in 2020. The union represents 1.7 million educators, healthcare professionals and public employees across more than 3,000 locals.

The announcement comes after an unprecedented year of AFT member engagement around the 2020 election and the endorsement process, with more than 300,000 members nationwide participating in candidate events, town halls, polls, regional conferences and other efforts to maximize member participation leading up to the November election.

The AFT’s endorsement decision has been guided by three criteria: selecting a candidate who shares the union’s values, who has the support of the union’s members, and who can ultimately defeat President Trump in November. Internal union polling over the last two weeks has demonstrated that members, like Democrats across the nation, have coalesced behind the former vice president: he earned a majority (60 percent) of member support in all of the union’s constituencies and leads his nearest competitor by a 2 to 1 margin. 75 percent of the Democratic membership support the AFT making an endorsement in the primary.

“Before the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2020 election was about the soul of our country. Now it’s about our soul, our safety, our health, our security and our economic well-being. Joe Biden is the experienced and empathic leader our country needs right now,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “His character was forged getting up and going to work every day and trying to make life better for his family, facing the ups and downs so many of us face; it was tested by unspeakable loss and grief in life; and it was nurtured through public service, a love of people and the belief in the dignity of every human.”

Weingarten continued: “Biden is with us on investing in public education; making college a reality for everyone; fixing the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness program; making healthcare a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy; prioritizing clean energy and environmental justice; and building an economy that respects the value of workers’ voices. His whole career has been devoted to building a pathway to the middle class for the millions of people facing an affordability crisis daily. It’s time to give him the chance to do that as president.

“In this moment of worldwide crisis, the contrast with Trump is clear. Our country is navigating the greatest challenge we have battled in generations, and it is essential that we rally around a candidate who can show courage, conviction and compassion in the face of uncertainty.

“Throughout this national emergency, the president and his administration have failed to secure testing and personal protective equipment to safeguard our frontline healthcare providers, have attempted to conceal the severity of the virus and downplay the public health risks, and have refused to deploy the full arsenal of the federal government’s resources, leaving the difficult work of leadership to our nation’s governors. Now more than ever, we need a standard-bearer who is actually looking out for us, and who has a proven track record of steering the country successfully through economic and social upheaval.

“From the beginning, our endorsement process and ultimate decision was guided by three principles: finding a candidate who shares our values, who has a clear path to victory, and who enjoys the support of a clear majority of our members. That time has come, and that candidate is Joe Biden.”

National unions representing a range of other workers and professions have also endorsed Biden, including the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), National Education Association (NEA), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers (IW), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).

Bernie Sanders Campaign Raises More Than $2 Million in 48 Hours to Fight Coronavirus

Bernie Sanders Campaign Raises More Than $2 Million in 48 Hours to Fight Coronavirus

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign on Saturday announced that in the last 48 hours it raised more than $2 million for five charities on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak.

"What we've seen in the last two days is the definition of fighting for someone you don’t know,'" Bernie 2020 Digital Fundraising Director Robin Curran said. "The people supporting this campaign have made more than 50,000 donations to help those most impacted by coronavirus because they understand that now more than ever it is important that we are in this together."

The Sanders campaign sent emails and text messages to raise funds for Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, One Fair Wage Emergency Fund, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

In the coming days, the campaign plans to raise money for more places doing critical work in the fight against coronavirus.

Mike Bloomberg 2020 Makes Transfer of $18 Million to Democratic National Committee

MIKE BLOOMBERG 2020 MAKES TRANSFER OF $18 MILLION TO DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

NEW YORK — Today, Mike Bloomberg 2020 announced a transfer of $18 million to the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) Coordinated Campaign to help Democrats win up and down the ballot in November. This is the largest transfer from a presidential campaign in recent history. Additionally, Mike Bloomberg 2020 will also transfer several of its former field offices to state parties and help accelerate the hiring pace for important positions in organizing, data, and operations across key battleground states. The campaign believes this investment will dramatically expand the DNC’s Battleground Build-Up 2020 efforts across battleground states, drawing in part from our own incredibly experienced and talented organizing staff. Staff in the six battleground states notified today will be employed and paid through the first week in April and have full benefits through the end of April.

Below is a memo from the Mike Bloomberg 2020 campaign to Tom Perez, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, outlining next steps.

TO: Tom Perez, Chair of the Democratic National Committee
FROM: Mike Bloomberg 2020 Campaign
DATE: March 20, 2020
RE: Bloomberg Campaign Next Steps

There is no greater threat to our Democracy than the current occupant in the White House, and Mike launched his campaign with the fundamental goal of defeating him and energizing Democratic victories up and down the ballot.
During Mike’s campaign, we made defeating Donald Trump a priority, including organizing early in states that don’t often get Primary attention and through a $275 million media blitz to remind voters of President Trump’s failures and broken promises. We also did not run any negative TV ads against fellow Democratic candidates. Until our campaign kicked off this effort, Trump was the only candidate on either side who was campaigning and holding rallies in the key states that will decide the 2020 election.
As Mike said throughout the campaign, he would support whomever the eventual Democratic nominee is, as well as Democrats in key races that we must elect to help undo the damage President Trump has done in office. While our campaign has ended, Mike’s number one objective this year remains defeating Trump and helping Democrats win in November.
The existential threat posed by Trump has become abundantly clear in his complete mismanagement of the Coronavirus crisis — a crisis that has profound implications for our economy, our public health and our way of life. But we should also not assume that Trump’s incompetence will be enough to make him a one-term President. Trump’s ability to lie and propagate misinformation, particularly using digital tools and other means with swing voters in battleground states, will continue to ensure a close race in November. Every decision we make as Democrats must account for this.
While we considered creating our own independent entity to support the nominee and hold the President accountable, this race is too important to have many competing groups with good intentions but that are not coordinated and united in strategy and execution. The dynamics of the race have also fundamentally changed, and it is critically important that we all do everything we can to support our eventual nominee and scale the Democratic Party’s general election efforts.

We therefore believe the best thing we can all do over the next eight months is to help the group that matters most in this fight: the Democratic National Committee.
That is why Mike Bloomberg 2020 has decided to make a transfer of $18 million to the Democratic National Committee’s organizing efforts and Coordinated Campaign to help Democrats win up and down the ballot this fall. In particular, we hope this investment will dramatically expand the DNC’s Battleground Build-Up 2020 efforts across battleground states, drawing in part from our own incredibly experienced and talented organizing staff.
Mike Bloomberg 2020 will also transfer several of its former field offices to state parties and help accelerate the hiring pace for important positions in organizing, data, and operations across key battleground states.
Mike Bloomberg entered this race to ensure Democrats win — keeping the House blue, flipping the Senate, winning key state and local races, and taking back the White House — and this commitment through November helps do exactly that. By supporting the Democratic Party, we look forward to November and taking on our unified goal of beating Donald Trump.