Sanders top aide: 'Only natural' he would back Wasserman Schultz's challenger

Bernie Sanders’ campaign on Monday said it was “only natural” that the Vermont senator would endorse Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s primary opponent, Tim Canova, as the progressive U.S. House candidate reported a record-breaking $225,000 fundraising surge.

“Well, her opponent is a Democrat, by the way, in a Democratic district. So whoever wins that primary will be the congressperson from that district so this in no way hurts the Democratic Party,” Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver explained to MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.


Sanders recently announced his support of Canova, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University who has raised more than $1 million since he began his campaign in January to unseat Wasserman Schultz. Sanders’ campaign on Sunday took its endorsement a step further, crafting a fundraising email for Canova.

Weaver on Monday argued that Sanders has supported progressive candidates nationwide, adding that the race in Florida's 23rd Congressional District is no different.

“In this race in Florida, Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s opponent is the much more progressive candidate. I think it’s only natural that he would support the more progressive alternative in that race,” Weaver said.

His statement comes after Canova reported a $225,000 fundraising haul following the Sanders campaign’s email.

“Like Bernie, we are running a campaign that is funded by working Americans, not corporations or wealthy elites,” said Canova, who like Sanders has had his campaign fueled by small online donations, in a statement. “I am proud to have his endorsement and support in our campaign. Together, we are building a coalition of nurses, teachers, students, seniors, and more who overwhelmingly believe that our political and economic systems are rigged in favor of the billionaire class and establishment politicians like Wasserman Schultz.”

A Canova victory in the Florida primary would unseat the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. Sanders said Sunday that, as president, he wouldn’t reappoint Wasserman Schultz to lead the party.

In the statement touting his fundraising burst, Canova framed his primary campaign as an election that will determine the future of the Democratic Party and America.

“It’s a question of whether or not we stand behind our progressive values and fight to make sure working Americans have a fair shot in this economy,” Canova said. “That’s why we have many supporters who support both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton — because our opponent’s failed leadership is a disappointment to all Democrats.”

Appearing on MSNBC on Monday afternoon, Canova suggested Wasserman Schultz’s popularity in Florida is a myth — the Democratic congresswoman has safely won her district since 2004 — and cast her as a divisive figure who could face a similar fate as former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who was unseated by Dave Brat in his 2014 primary.

“She’s been a member of Congress for 12 years; I’ve been a candidate for less than 90 days and we got more contributions in Florida than she did,” Canova said. “So her popularity is a bit of a myth. She’s been pushing for big corporate interests for a while, and voters are really not in the mood for more of the same. There’s a big anti-incumbent wave in this country. We saw it start two years ago, when Eric Cantor … lost to a college professor who he outraised by 40-to-1.”