Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is wading into another intra-Democratic Party battle in the Central Valley, this time supporting a progressive contender for California State Assembly.
Friday, Sanders threw his endorsement behind social justice CEO Sandra Celedon (D-Fresno) for Assembly against the party’s endorsed candidate, Fresno City Councilwoman Annalisa Perea (D-Fresno).
Bern it down: Sanders previously waded into the highly-contentious 22nd Congressional District primary, supporting progressive insurgent Visalia Unified Trustee Randy Villegas (D-Visalia) in his insurgent bid to upset DCCC-endorsed Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D-Bakersfield) for the right to face-off against Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) in the fall.
- Friday, Sanders included Celedon in a nationwide tranche of down-ballot endorsements.
What we’re watching: The race has been decidedly one-sided toward Perea, Celedon’s Democratic rival for the seat, with more than $1.3 million in outside spending in support of the Fresno City Councilwoman pouring in since Jan. 1.
- Celedon saw a months-long, six-figure independent campaign waged by the left-wing dark money group Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California PAC.
- Since Jan. 1, however, that effort dried up. Celedon has only seen slightly more than $29,000 in independent spending, according to filings from the California Secretary of State.
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