Sanders snags 1st congressional endorsement

Arizona's Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva will announce his official endorsement of Bernie Sanders for president on Friday at a rally in Tucson, according to Grijalva's press secretary.

This is Sanders’ first endorsement from a member of Congress.

Grijalva's endorsement was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Sanders has trailed far behind former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in garnering support from the Democratic Party for his presidential bid. Clinton has secured 354 endorsements from representatives, senators and governors, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Even Sanders' fellow Democratic senator, Patrick Leahy, has announced his support for Clinton.

This endorsement comes at a critical time for Sanders as he prepares for the first Democratic debate on Tuesday. Sanders will also make a video appearance on Monday at New Hampshire's No Labels convention.

Despite a lack of support from the party establishment, Sanders has risen in the polls since his May campaign kickoff. In the latest national survey by Public Policy Polling, Sanders received 24 percent support among likely Democratic voters. Clinton received 42 percent.

RELATED:

Bernie bolstered by offbeat celebs, not Dems

Contact Haley Dover at 660-1850 or hdover@freepressmedia.com. Follow Haley on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HaleyRDover.