Former President Barack Obama's new list of endorsements includes 260 candidates across 29 states who are running for an array of positions, such as governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and state legislature. | Jussi Nukari/AFP/Getty Images Elections Obama endorses Ocasio-Cortez, Gillum ahead of midterms

Former President Barack Obama on Monday released a second wave of candidate endorsements ahead of the November midterm elections, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist who gained national fame earlier this year.

Obama's new list includes 260 candidates across 29 states who are running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor and state legislature. He endorsed 81 candidates in August.


“They’re Americans who aren’t just running against something, but for something," Obama said in a statement. "They’re running to expand opportunity and restore the honor and compassion that should be the essence of public service. I’m proud to endorse so many of them today, and I’m eager to continue making the case for why they deserve our votes this November.”

The former president has endorsed a number of candidates who don't always fall in line with establishment Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez. She's running for New York's 14th Congressional District seat in what's become a noncompetitive race after her surprising primary upset of longtime Rep. Joe Crowley.

Obama also endorsed Ben Jealous, the former head of the NAACP who is running for governor in Maryland, and Andrew Gillum, who is running for governor of Florida. Gillum, if he wins, will be the first African-American governor in the state.