Bernie Sanders says socialist candidates can win races in purple states

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) expressed full confidence that socialist candidates can expand beyond liberal strongholds, arguing recent primary victories show the progressive movement can compete in politically divided states.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Sanders pointed to a string of progressive wins and rejected the notion that Democratic socialist candidates are confined to deep-blue districts. Sanders said he believes they can prevail in swing states by focusing on working-class economic issues rather than ideological labels.