Rep. Mark Pocan Mark William PocanClark rolls out endorsements in assistant Speaker race Hillicon Valley: Pentagon reaffirms decision to award JEDI contract to Microsoft | Schiff asks officials for briefing on election security threats Democrats explore new ways to resurrect election security briefings MORE (D-Wis.), one of the House’s top progressives, endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security MORE’s (I) presidential campaign Thursday as the Vermont lawmaker racks up support from progressive politicians and advocacy groups.

Pocan, who co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus and will now chair Sanders’s campaign in Wisconsin, praised the senator's progressive platforms as the “antidote” to the nation’s struggles.

“For three years now, Donald Trump has poisoned our nation with his failure, corruption, and xenophobia," Pocan said in a statement. "Bernie Sanders’ authenticity, honesty, and movement for equality is the antidote our nation needs now.”

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“I am proud to endorse a candidate that shares my progressive values and has long been an advocate for the issues Wisconsinites care most about. From health care to a living wage, it’s time we work for working people, and with Bernie Sanders as president - we can do just that.”

Pocan in a video announcing his endorsement explained that he believes Sanders can motivate the Democratic Party’s base in Wisconsin, a key 2020 battleground state that President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE narrowly won by roughly 23,000 votes in 2016.

“Donald Trump won Wisconsin by 23,000 votes. But our problem was we had a big dropoff in Democratic voters. About 250,000 Democrats that normally come out didn’t come out, and the problem was they weren’t mobilized and they weren’t excited and invigorated,” said Pocan. “Having that turnout come back, Wisconsin will be in the blue column.”

Pocan’s announcement is the latest in a string of endorsements from progressive individuals and groups for Sanders as he battles Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenBiden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon MORE (D-Mass.) for the primary field’s liberal mantle.

Among Sanders’s most recent high-profile endorsers are Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezLawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence The Hill Interview: Jerry Brown on climate disasters, COVID-19 and Biden's 'Rooseveltian moment' MORE (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Larry Kudlow defends response to coronavirus: Trump 'led wisely' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Woodward book revelations rock Washington MORE (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibGeorge Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge The Democratic Party platform represents our big tent MORE (D-Mich.), the Sunrise Movement, Dream Defenders and several local union groups. Warren has earned the backing of Rep. Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleySan Francisco considers changing local voting age to 16 Hillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy MORE (D-Mass.) and the Working Families Party.

Sanders praised Pocan following his endorsement on Thursday, citing his opposition to U.S. trade deals that have become a focal point of scrutiny among progressives.

“I’m so proud that Rep. Pocan is supporting our movement and will chair our campaign in Wisconsin,” Sanders said. “Mark Pocan is a champion of workers rights and has always stood up to the horrible corporate trade deals that have outsourced millions of jobs. Donald Trump lied to workers in 2016 and then betrayed them as president. With Mark’s help, we will win Wisconsin in 2020 and defeat Donald Trump.”