The Center for Popular Democracy Action, a coalition of more than 50 progressive groups, on Tuesday announced it was endorsing Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE (I-Vt.) in the Democratic presidential primary race.

Sanders received 75 percent of the votes cast by groups in the coalition’s network to pick a candidate to back in the organization's first-ever presidential endorsement, the group said.

“Bernie Sanders is the powerful movement candidate we need to defeat Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE. From ending mass incarceration and deportations to the $15 minimum wage and Medicare for All, Sanders is working hand-in-hand with our communities to champion the policies that we need to thrive,” Jennifer Epps-Addison, co-executive director and network president of the coalition, said in the announcement.

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“The dignity and safety of immigrant communities, communities of color and working-class people are on the ballot in 2020. In endorsing Senator Bernie Sanders, our network has chosen a champion for people who have been historically forced to the margins,” co-executive director Ana Maria Archilla added.

The coalition had narrowed the 15-person field down to three candidates: Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro (D-Texas) in November.

The vote was later narrowed to Sanders and Warren, the top two after a November vote in which none of the candidates received 60 percent of the vote, the necessary threshold for an endorsement, the organization said.

Center for Popular Democracy has a group of 53 affiliates and partners in 131 cities across 34 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Sanders said he was proud to be endorsed by the organization.

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"Together we're going to build a movement for racial, social and economic justice made up of working class Americans that will bring millions of people together and transforms our country so it works for all of us," Sanders tweeted Tuesday.

I’m proud to be endorsed by @CPDAction. Together we’re going to build a movement for racial, social and economic justice made up of working class Americans that will bring millions of people together and transforms our country so it works for all of us. https://t.co/mQ3iddayiZ — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 10, 2019

The endorsement comes as Sanders and Warren continue to battle for progressive endorsements. The senators have broken into the top tier of the race, along with former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Joe Biden should enact critical government reforms if he wins MORE and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE, who are pitching more moderate agendas.

Warren received the backing of the influential progressive Working Families Party in September. The Working Families Party had endorsed Sanders in his 2016 White House bid.

--Updated at 10:46 a.m.