Jayapal is the latest progressive leader to throw support behind Rep. Lee’s historic campaign

Oakland, CA — Today, Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Lee announced she has been endorsed by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07).

Jayapal, who is chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, made history as the first Indian-American woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. She has been a strong progressive voice in the chamber since assuming office in 2016 and has been instrumental in advancing key progressive priorities, including introducing the Medicare for All Act, the Housing is a Human Right Act, and the College for All Act. Jayapal also spearheaded measures to ensure the rich pay their fair share of taxes and to reform the immigration system. She serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and co-chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force.

“Barbara is a champion for justice who has been a persistent progressive voice in the U.S. House, and I know she’ll fight for our shared progressive values in the U.S. Senate,” said Jayapal. “As a woman of color, I know representation matters and I’m excited for Barbara to bring her voice and her lived experience as a Black woman to the chamber so all of us can have a seat at the table. I’m proud to endorse Barbara Lee for U.S. Senate.”

“I am so grateful to have earned the trust and support of Congresswoman Jayapal,” said Lee. “She is one of the strongest voices for justice in Congress and it’s been my honor to fight alongside her for a more progressive future for all. I’m running this campaign to bring this fight to the U.S. Senate and on Day One, I’m ready to use my experience and record of results to move California and our country forward.”

Jayapal’s endorsement follows the endorsement of progressive leader and Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Congressman Ro Khanna, demonstrating the coalescing of progressive support around Lee’s campaign.

Lee enters the race for U.S. Senate with a long and growing list of supporters, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Controller Malia Cohen, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Congressman Ro Khanna, State Senators Anna Caballero and Nancy Skinner, Assemblymembers Mia Bonta and Corey Jackson, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, Redlands Mayor Eddie Tejeda, Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Karina Quintanilla, Dolores Huerta, California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Deepa Sharma, California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Chair Amar Shergill, and California Democratic Party LGBTQ Caucus Co-Chair Tiffany Woods.

Lee also has the backing of the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, California Legislative Black Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, and Feminist Majority PAC.