Meet the Sandernistas Running for Congress

March 18, 2016
Meet the Sandernistas Running for Congress

by Camilo Gómez

For readers of CounterPunch the candidature of Bernie Sanders has generated mixed feelings. On the one hand he has pushed for progressive policies in economic issues, on the other hand he hasn’t been as antiwar as much of the progressive community wish he had been. But he has inspired young people tired of neoliberalism and imperialism of Hillary Clinton. And not necessarily only young people, there is a list of what has been called the Bernie Congress including progressive challengers inspired by Sanders to run Democratic primaries for Congress. Some would face a relatively easy election in heavily Democratic districts while others would try to compete swing districts and others try to win even in Republican districts with a populist message.

Nobody among the Sandernistas running for Congress call themselves socialists and frankly they speak more about economics than foreign policy but the fact the several of them are challenging warmonger Democrats and Republicans may be a good sign. Contrary to the Clinton narrative, these Sanderistas are not only white, some of them are Hispanic and Asian. Bill Perkins of Harlem was the only African-American in original list but he has dropped out. Here is the complete list of Sanderistas running for congress.

Alex Law (NJ-01)

The 24 years old millennial is running against moderate Democrat Donald Norcross who opposed the Iran deal and supported Keystone XL Pipeline. In a safe Democratic district he has a tough battle in the primaries against a better funded candidate with establishment support. He studied finance at NYU and worked for IBM before starting his progressive campaign. The brother of his opponent has a big name in New Jersey politics so it would a real surprise if Alex Law could win the primary.

Tom Guild (OK-05)

A professor of legal studies at the University of Central Oklahoma is running against an incumbent Republican. Having had a hard childhood, he grew up trusting that the federal government can do well. He has ran in the past for the same position, in 2012 was the candidate in the general election against the Republican James Langford and in 2014 he was defeated in the Democratic primaries by State Senator Al McAffrey. These is a solid Republican district, so it would be an uphill battle.

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/03/18/meet-the-sandernistas-running-for-congress/