Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE on Saturday rallied support for Ben Jealous, who won the Maryland Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday.

Jealous is a progressive candidate who was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) and Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (D-Calif.). He will run against Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) this November.

Biden encouraged Maryland Democrats to come together ahead of this year's general election, according to The Baltimore Sun.

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He said today’s Republican Party prioritizes corporate wealth over middle-class, working families, the Sun reported.



“We have to stop [the Republican Party],” Biden reportedly told the crowd at the fundraiser. “We can’t do it if we’re divided.”

Democratic Party sources told the Sun that Jealous raised about $150,000 on Saturday night.

Biden was joined by major players in the Maryland Democratic party, such as Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help MORE and Rep. Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE, and the national party, such as Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE.

The current and former lawmakers praised Jealous’s positions on health care and criminal justice reform, according to the Sun.

Biden said the party should focus on restoring and expanding access “to the middle class.”

Jealous faces an uphill battle, as incumbent Hogan’s campaign has nearly $9 million on hand compared to Jealous’s $660,000, The Baltimore Sun reported.

“While Hogan has the money right now, something tells me we’re going to find it, too,” Jealous said at the rally.

Biden’s support of Jealous comes at a moment when the Democratic Party is grappling with an apparent veer to the left. Self-described democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) in an upset win last week, sparking conversation about the direction of the party.

The New York Times editorial board today called for a stronger presence of young progressive leaders like 28-year-old Ocasio-Cortez.

