Pelosi defends endorsing Joe Kennedy in Democratic primary
August 23, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday defended her endorsement of Rep. Joe Kennedy in his Democratic Senate primary, saying "people can support whoever they want."
The California Democrat last week endorsed Kennedy, who is challenging incumbent Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, in a surprise move that could give Kennedy a significant boost in the contentious primary race.
"I have consistently, proudly supported my members in their reelections — and that's been consistent — against any other people who are running against them," Pelosi said on CNN's "State of the Union." "They can run against them, and members can support them."
Pelosi's endorsement put her at direct odds with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and surprised many, as she rarely weighs in on Democratic primaries.
It also prompted backlash from progressives, who have faced resistance to their own primary efforts against sitting members from the Democratic establishment.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a Markey supporter who herself won a primary against an incumbent, said Pelosi’s support of Kennedy went against the party’s longtime policy against backing challengers.
“No one gets to complain about primary challenges again,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
Justice Democrats, which has backed Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives, accused Pelosi of double standards.
“This move reeks of hypocrisy,” the group wrote in a statement. “The party is setting one standard for progressives and one entirely different standard for the establishment.”
Pelosi cited Kennedy's track record, calling him a "valued member" who was "instrumental" in helping Democrats win back the House majority in 2018.
"I'm so proud to support him," she said, adding, "I support my members when they run for reelection and when they run for other office."
Source: https://www.politico.com/
