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2020 hopefuls lend support in Queens district attorney race

Sanders, Warren back progressive seen as underdog

By ELANA SCHOR, Associated Press
Published: June 19, 2019, 10:44pm

WASHINGTON — An election for district attorney in the New York City borough of Queens became an unexpected proving ground in the Democratic presidential primary on Wednesday as two leading 2020 candidates offered their endorsements.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont gave their backing to Tiffany Caban, who’s vying against six other Democrats in next week’s primary. She has an unabashedly progressive message that includes a campaign pledge to prosecute federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents “who exceed their authority” to detain residents of the borough who are in the U.S. illegally.

The imprimatur of Warren and Sanders could give a boost to Caban, a 31-year-old public defender who’s seen as an underdog in her race. But the engagement of presidential candidates in a local district attorney’s race illustrates the political influence of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 29-year-old congressional Democratic star who represents part of Queens and gave her support to Caban last month. Warren and Sanders would reap their own advantages in the primary by winning Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement, and both senators have touted alliances with her on specific issues as they court liberal voters.

Warren announced her endorsement Wednesday with a tweet that said Caban “will fight for working families and work to end mass incarceration,” while Sanders announced his endorsement soon afterward.

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