Biden Campaign Press Release - 59 African American State Legislators Endorse Joe Biden Ahead of Third Democratic Debate

Today, Biden for President is announcing 59 African American state legislators from 15 states who are endorsing Joe Biden ahead of the third Democratic debate. As Vice President Biden's campaign expands across the country, today's endorsements come from key Super Tuesday states like California, Minnesota, and Tennessee, as well as crucial battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Today's endorsements also include 26 Georgia state legislators, including the legislature's Black Caucus Chair, House Democratic Caucus Chair, and the President-Elect of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). In total, 76 African American state legislators nationwide have now endorsed Vice President Biden.

"We are building a diverse coalition to create a path to the nomination that runs through the early states, Super Tuesday, and beyond. We are honored to have the support of these respected leaders from across the country who are helping us assemble the strongest campaign in the country," said Greg Schultz, Campaign Manager, Biden for President. "The endorsements of local elected officials who are committed to getting things done for their communities are imperative in our campaign's fight for the soul of America and to defeat Donald Trump."

Today's endorsements build on the campaign's momentum heading into Thursday night's debate and represent continued enthusiasm in key states.

Today's new endorsements include:

• Billy Mitchell, GA State Representative & President-Elect National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL)
• Barbara Ballard, KS State Senator and House Minority Caucus Chair
• Karen Bennett, GA State Representative and Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Chair
• James Beverly, GA State Representative and Georgia House Democratic Caucus Chair
• Gregory W. Porter, IN State Representative and Former President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators
• Cherrish Pryor, IN State Representative and House Democratic Caucus Floor Leader
• Derrick Simmons, MS State Senator Minority Leader
• Angela Turner-Ford, MS Senator and Chair of Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus
• Sheryl Williams-Stapleton, NM State Representative, Majority Leader
• Raumesh Akbari, TN State Senator
• Kimberly Alexander, GA State Representative
• Tonya Anderson, GA State Senator
• Regina Barrow, LA State Senator
• Debra Bazemore, GA State Representative
• Chris Bell, MS State Representative
• Barbara Blackmon, MS State Senator
• Edward Blackmon, MS State Representative
• Roger Bruce, GA State Representative
• Marshall Bullock, MI State Senator
• Cedric Burnett, MS State Representative
• Rhonda Burnough, GA State Representative
• Gloria Butler, GA State Senator
• Doreen Carter, GA State Representative
• Troy Carter, LA State Senator
• Morgan Cephas, PA State Representative
• Sheila Clark-Nelson, GA State Representative
• Jim Cooper, CA State Assemblyman
• Jason Dawkins, PA State Representative
• Pam Dickerson, GA State Representative
• Winfred Dukes, GA State Representative
• Jason Fields, WI State Representative
• Gloria Frazier, GA State Representative
• Randall Gaines, LA State Representative
• Brenda Gilmore, TN State Senator
• Juandalyn Givan, AL State Representative
• Ed Harbison, GA State Senator
• CaMia Hopson, GA State Representative
• John Horne, MS State Senator
• Carolyn Hugely, GA State Representative
• Mack Jackson, GA State Representative
• Donzella James, GA State Senator
• Emanuel Jones, GA State Senator
• Sheila Jones, GA State Representative
• Dar'Shun Kendrick, GA State Representative
• Harold Love, TN State Representative
• Dewey McClain, GA State Representative
• Carl Mickens, MS State Representative
• Rena Moran, MN State Representative
• Gerald Neal, KY State Senator
• Barbara Norton, LA State Representative
• Sollie Norwood, MS State Senator
• Miriam Paris, GA State Representative
• Kim Schofield, GA State Representative
• Joe Tate, MI State Representative
• Kenneth Walker, MS State Representative
• Karen Whitsett, MI State Representative
• Al Williams, GA State Representative
• Robert Williams, SC State Representative
• Tenisha Yancey, MI State Representative

Today's endorsements add to a list of 17 African American state legislators who have previously announced their support for Joe Biden. Earlier this week, the campaign also announced new endorsements from South Carolina and New Hampshire, as well as endorsements from the Super Tuesday states Texas and Tennessee.

Biden for President has previously announced more than 320 endorsements from national, state and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, and community leaders.