Members of the progressive political action committee MoveOn.org overwhelmingly voted to endorse Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary.
The Vermont senator won 78.6 percent of the votes cast by MoveOn members, whereas Hillary Clinton garnered only 14.6 percent and Martin O’Malley earned just 0.9 percent of the vote. The PAC, who originally encouraged Sen. Elizabeth Warren to run for the White House, plans to mobilize its millions of members to campaign for Sanders in Iowa, New Hampshire and across the nation.
“I’m proud to have MoveOn and its community of millions of members join our people-powered campaign,” Sanders said in a statement. “MoveOn has spent more than 17 years bringing people together to fight for progressive change and stand up against big money interests. MoveOn’s fight to give the American people a voice in our political system was reflected in the group’s internal democratic process.”
The group cited Sanders’ focus on income inequality, LGBT rights, racial equality and anti-war foreign policy agenda as reason for their endorsement. Although the Democratic socialist was once thought to not be as electable as Clinton in a general election, MoveOn voters also cited his “electability” as reason for their endorsement.
“This is a massive vote in favor of Bernie Sanders, showing that grassroots progressives across the country are excited and inspired by his message and track record of standing up to big money and corporate interests to reclaim our democracy for the American people,” MoveOn.org Political Action Executive Director Ilya Sheyman said. “MoveOn members are feeling the Bern.”
The endorsement comes as polls shows Sanders gaining on Hillary Clinton in both Iowa and New Hampshire. According to a Monday WSJ/NBC poll, Sanders is within the margin of error among likely caucus-goers in Iowa, as Clinton leads him 48-45, and Sanders now leads Clinton in New Hampshire 50-46.
