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Sanders first to get non-home state congressional endorsement

Ro Khanna has expressed support for a Sanders presidential run since 2017

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., conducts a news conference in the Capitol to introduce a legislative package that would lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. on Jan. 10, 2019. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., conducts a news conference in the Capitol to introduce a legislative package that would lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. on Jan. 10, 2019. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Bernie Sanders is the first 2020 candidate to pick up an endorsement from a member of Congress who is not from their home state.

Ro Khanna, D-Calif., announced Thursday that he is backing the Vermont independent to be the next president. The endorsement is not a surprising one — Khana tweeted in July of 2017 that Sanders should “absolutely run again in 2020!”

[Sanders Gets First Endorsement for 2020 Presidential Race]

Khanna took to the Twittersphere on Thursday to reiterate that early endorsement.

“Bernie has spent his career fighting for working people and standing up to corporations and special interests,” Khanna said. “He has the grassroots energy and the vision to inspire voters across America.”

Sanders announced Tuesday that he would try to win the Democratic nomination and challenge President Donald Trump, who Sanders called an “embarrassment to our country.”

[Bernie Sanders says he’s running for president again]

With Sanders entering the fray, the field of possible Democratic candidates includes at least seven senators, including Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kamala Harris of California, and Cory Booker of New Jersey. Sen Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has formed an exploratory committee and Sherrod Brown of Ohio has also said he’s considering getting into the race. 

Watch: Bernie Sanders is running for president: Here are some congressional basics

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