Obama Releases First Set of Midterm Election Endorsements, Does Not Endorse Ocasio-Cortez

Former President Barack Obama announced his endorsement Wednesday of dozens of Democratic candidates running for office in the November 2018 midterms.

A statement released by the former president's office said Obama will strive to help the Democratic Party retake control of the House of Representatives and increase the number of Democratic senators.

"I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates – leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent," Obama said. He expressed confidence the candidates he endorsed will "strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity that’s broadly shared, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law."

The list of candidates endorsed by Obama includes prospective Democratic lawmakers from 14 states. Although the list contains two candidates from New York, the president did not endorse congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or any Democrat in the state’s gubernatorial primary, which pits Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D.) against actress and progressive activist Cynthia Nixon.

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