Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Vermont State Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint today for Vermont’s lone Congressional seat. Sanders served in that seat from 1990 to 2006, before being elected to the United States Senate. Sanders’ endorsement adds to a broad and impressive list of endorsements for Balint’s campaign, which in recent weeks secured the support of 350.org founder and Vermonter, Bill McKibben, former Green Mountain Power CEO Mary Powell, the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, The American Federation of Teachers union, the Vermont Building Trades Council, and over 60 Vermont elected officials, including Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, who withdrew from the Congressional race and then endorsed Balint. Balint has also been endorsed by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Chair of the Congressional progressive Caucus, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. David Ciciline and Rep. Mark Takano.
“Becca Balint does the work. In Becca’s years as a state senator, she has been a voice for rural Vermonters and proved again and again that she is a champion for the working class,” Sanders said. “Becca understands that if we are going to combat the existential threat of climate change, establish universal health care and mental health care for all, create good paying jobs in Vermont and protect American democracy, we need leaders who have the courage to challenge the status quo. Becca has that courage.”
“Becca is a person of deep integrity. She is the kind of person we need in Congress. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Becca today and look forward to serving with her in Washington.”
“Bernie has changed this country with his moral clarity, and it is an incredible honor to have his support,” Balint said. “Bernie joins a coalition of teachers, farmers, firefighters, electricians, and working people across our state. The coalition we are building represents all of Vermont and I am so proud that we have been able to bring so many different people together. The Vermont Congressional Delegation has long been the conscience of this nation, and I will work incredibly hard to live up to their example.”
Becca Balint is a teacher, mom, and the first woman and openly gay person to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Vermont State Senate. To find out more about Becca Balint go to www.beccabalint.com.