Bernie Sanders campaigns for Randy Bryce in Janesville

Amanda Quintana by Amanda Quintana

Former presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders was in Janesville Saturday evening to kick off a campaign rally for first congressional district candidate Randy Bryce.

Several hundred supporters turned out for the rally, where Bryce and Sanders emphasized their populist message, calling for single-payer health care for all Americans and immigration reform.

In his speech, Sanders characterized Bryce as a candidate who doesn’t rely on big political donors.

“What this campaign is about and what Randy is about is saying enough is enough. We are going to have a government that represents all people and not just the 1 percent,” Sanders said.

This is the latest in the battle for the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s first congressional district.

The area, home to House Speaker Paul Ryan, traditionally leans Republican.

In the wake of Ryan’s retirement, the first district has become a symbolic battleground. Democrats are looking to it as a proving ground for the “blue wave” during this year’s midterms.

Bryce is running against Cathy Myers in the Democratic primary.

Her campaign manager sent News 3 a statement that said, in part, “Senator Sanders should explain why he’s spending time campaigning against a public school teacher running for congress … on a platform that includes Medicare for all, a 15 dollar minimum wage, and a commitment to address climate change.”

Republican candidate Bryan Steil released a statement saying “Southeast Wisconsinite’s paychecks would ‘feel the Bern’ with Senator Bernie Sander’s and our opponent’s out of touch, far-left agenda.”

Steil is one of five republicans running for Ryan’s seat, along with Paul Nehlen, Nick Polce, Jeremy Ryan and Kevin Steen.

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