Tim Canova is running against DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida's 23rd congressional district. | AP Sanders backs DNC chair's primary opponent

Bernie Sanders cranked up his crusade against the Democratic establishment Saturday, declaring that he is supporting Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s primary election challenger.

The move, a clear and intended affront to the Florida congresswoman, comes amid long-standing tensions between the two Democrats. Sanders and his allies contend that Wasserman Schultz has not been an honest broker during his run for the Democratic nomination and they have seethed over a number of issues ranging from the debate schedule to the amount of representation on the convention standing committees.


Last year, the DNC’s decision to revoke the Sanders campaign's access to its voter data file following a data breach led to a bitter dispute. In recent weeks, the Sanders campaign accused the DNC of having an inappropriate fundraising agreement with the Clinton campaign.

Sanders, speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview airing Sunday on "State of the Union," delivered a measure of political payback by announcing his support for Wasserman Schultz’s challenger in the her south Florida-based district.

“Well, clearly, I favor her opponent,” Sanders said. “His views are much closer to mine than as to Wasserman Schultz’s.”

Sanders also told Tapper that if he were to be elected president, he wouldn’t want Wasserman Schultz leading the DNC.

Sanders has helped raise money for three progressive House candidates who have endorsed him this year, but until now he has not backed Tim Canova, the law professor and a vocal critic of Wall Street who is challenging Wasserman Schultz.

POLITICO Florida reported last week that Canova is on pace to raise $1 million since he entered the race officially on Jan. 7 -- an astounding amount for a primary challenger, especially one who is taking on the leader of the national party.

Wasserman Schultz responded Saturday by saying she will continue to remain officially neutral in the Democratic presidential primary.

"I am so proud to serve the people of Florida's 23rd district and I am confident that they know that I am an effective fighter and advocate on their behalf in Congress," she said in a statement. "Even though Senator Sanders has endorsed my opponent I remain, as I have been from the beginning, neutral in the Presidential Democratic primary. I look forward to working together with him for Democratic victories in the fall."

The Canova campaign released a statement thanking Sanders for his support.

“I’m so proud to know that Bernie Sanders favors our progressive campaign. Like Senator Sanders, I’m running a campaign that’s truly backed by the people, not big corporations — one that stands up to Wall Street interests instead of cozying up to them,” Canova said.

Sanders lost the congressional district in Florida in March when the state held its presidential primary — earning 30 percent to Hillary Clinton’s 69 percent. But the symbolic value of his endorsement is likely to boost Canova’s fundraising and raise his profile.

Aside from the personal slight to Wasserman Schultz, Sanders’ endorsement of Canova suggests the divide between his campaign and the Democratic establishment is as wide as ever after a week of finger-pointing over who bears responsibility for a chaotic Nevada state convention that resulted in threats of violence to the state party chairwoman.

Democratic Party leaders proposed a set of new rules Friday governing conduct at upcoming state party conventions, but they haven’t ameliorated fears that the tensions threaten the party’s ability to unify behind a nominee.

According to a POLITICO Caucus survey, a majority of Democratic insiders are worried about the party’s ability to unite its factions before the convention -- and nearly a quarter of Democrats described themselves as “very worried.”

Marc Caputo contributed to this report.

