The progressive grassroots PAC Democracy for America endorsed Tim Canova in his primary race against DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, accusing her of aligning herself with wealthy special interests. | AP Photo Democracy for America backs Canova in race against Wasserman Schultz

Democracy for America endorsed Tim Canova on Friday in his Florida primary race against Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The progressive grass-roots PAC accused Wasserman Schultz of aligning herself with wealthy special interests, noting her support for protecting the payday lending industry and her vote for trade promotion authority legislation, which was critical for the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal that has been panned by many liberals.


“DFA members are backing Tim Canova in this race for Congress, not for who he supports or who supports him, but because he has spent his life challenging the power of Wall Street banks, multinational corporations, and the systemic political corruption that keeps them profitable at the expense of everyone else,” DFA Chairman Jim Dean said in a statement.

“Simply put,” he continued, “if Democrats are going to be the party that confronts the wealthy and powerful who dominate our political process and enable growing income inequality, we need political revolutionaries like Tim Canova in the U.S. Congress.”

Canova said he was honored to have DFA’s support, hailing the organization as one that continues to stand up for responsive and progressive leadership.

“DFA members in our district are overwhelming in support of our campaign. They understand that Debbie Wasserman Schultz has failed us by standing with Republicans and corporate interests against the people of South Florida,” he said. “This district deserves a nominee who will stand with working Americans, not wealthy elites. I'm glad to have them on board as we continue to build a grass-roots campaign that believes in progress for all.”

DFA’s backing follows a January endorsement from its Broward County chapter and more recently from Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who announced his support for Canova last weekend and whose campaign crafted a fundraising email for Canova’s campaign.

Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver explained earlier this week that it was “only natural” that the Vermont senator would back Canova over Wasserman Schultz because he’s the more progressive candidate.

Canova told Fernand Amandi on Thursday that he’s nearing $2 million in contributions, a quarter-million of which he said came after Sanders’ fundraising email.

“Well, I’ll say we raised about $1 million in the first four months. By the time Bernie endorsed us, we were probably up at about $1.2, $1.3 million,” he told Amandi. “Since then we got a big kick of several hundred thousand, and that puts us closing in on $2 million now.”

DFA has also endorsed Sanders.