Aki Soga | Burlington Free Press

Ryan Mercer, Free Press Staff Writer

Bernie Sanders won an early endorsement for his 2020 presidential campaign from a fellow member of Vermont's congressional delegation, Rep. Peter Welch.

Welch, a Democrat and the sole member of the House from Vermont, also was in the Sanders camp during the 2016 campaign.

FREE PRESS FILE

Sanders announced on Tuesday he is seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.

Responding to a Free Press query, Welch wrote:

“Bernie Sanders is a welcome voice in this campaign. He has a proven, powerful, and compelling message of economic fairness and environmental justice that will resonate across America. I will support my friend and fellow Vermonter for president in 2020.”

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., also offered Sanders his support.

“We have a strong field of candidates, and Bernie’s entry makes the field even stronger," Leahy wrote in an email. "Bernie and I had a great talk today. I’m proud to support my fellow Vermonter, a proven leader with a strong message.”

Leahy was a supporter of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 race, as were many members of the Democratic establishment in the state.

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Although Sanders won the Vermont Democratic primary by a landslide in 2016, Leahy and Welch as superdelegates are free to choose who they support.