Progressive PAC Democracy for America endorses Tim Canova in CD 23 race

Tim Canova (YouTube)

Tim Canova, the college professor turned congressional opponent of Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, has secured another big endorsement.

Democracy for America (DFA) announced Friday it is backing Canova in his Democratic primary challenge against Wasserman Schultz in Florida’s 23rd Congressional District.

“DFA members are backing Tim Canova in this race for Congress, not for who he supports or who supports him, but because he has spent his life challenging the power of Wall Street banks, multinational corporations, and the systemic political corruption that keeps them profitable at the expense of everyone else,” said DFA Chair Jim Dean in a statement.

“From her vote in support of fast-track authority for the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership to her unabashed protection of a payday lending industry that makes billions off the backs of struggling working families, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has aligned herself with the wealthy interests who are making income inequality worse in our country,” Dean added.

DFA is a progressive PAC that claims to have a million members nationwide and over 73,000 in Florida.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Democracy for America, an organization that is always standing for responsive and progressive leadership in Congress,” said Canova. “DFA members in our district are overwhelming in support of our campaign. They understand that Debbie Wasserman Schultz has failed us by standing with Republicans and corporate interests against the people of South Florida. This district deserves a nominee who will stand with working Americans, not wealthy elites. I’m glad to have them on board as we continue to build a grassroots campaign that believes in progress for all.”

Canova was already a vessel for progressives, angered by Wasserman Schultz’ role as chair of the DNC for a variety of reasons, in particular for the perception that she has been unfair to Bernie Sanders in the Democratic race for president.

That support has been so strong nationally that he announced earlier this month he had raised a million dollars against his much better known opponent. But after Sanders announced his support for Canova last weekend on CNN, his fundraising has gone into an even more accelerated drive. Canova stunningly announced on Thursday he has now raised close to $2 million. 

Despite the endorsements, it’s not apparent if they will turn the tide for Canova against Wasserman Schultz in the district, where she has been re-elected since first winning the seat in 2004.

It hasn’t been a great week for the DNC chair. The Hill reported on Wednesday there are Democrats on Capitol Hill now calling on Wasserman Schultz to step down from her post at the DNC.