Former President Barack Obama announced Wednesday which Democratic candidates he was endorsing ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. The 44th president released a list of 81 Democratic candidates across 13 states that he said he will be campaigning for in the upcoming elections this fall.
Among the list of 81 names endorsed by the former president include politicians at all levels of government. Some of the notable names on Obama's endorsement list include; California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Ohio's Richard Cordray and Georgia's Stacey Adams, all of whom are running for governor in their home states.
Surprisingly, there was only one Senate race on Obama's list of endorsements. Rep. Jacky Rosen (Nevada) was endorsed by Obama as she runs to replace Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV). One surprising omission to many Democratic activists was Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), who is running against Sen. Ted Cruz for his Senate seat in the fall.
No incumbents were included on the list, a choice that was intentional, an Obama spokesperson said. The former president wants to boost challengers and newer candidates ahead of the midterms.
The statement avoided any mention of President Donald Trump who has already begun campaigning for his chosen candidates who are up for re-election in the fall.
“I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates — leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent,” the former president said.
Obama tweeted that he believed his list of endorsed candidates would work hard on strengthening the country.
I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law. But first, they need our votes.
Democrats need to pick up at least 23 seats in November to take back the House and two Senate seats to pick up the Senate.
Photo: Getty Images