Sanders Campaign Press Release - Former NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous Endorses Sanders

MANCHESTER, N.H. – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders Friday picked up the endorsement of former NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous.

"Bernie Sanders has been principled, courageous and consistent in fighting the evils that Dr. King referred to as the 'giant triplets' of racism, militarism and greed," Jealous said. "Bernie Sanders has the courage to confront the institutionalized bias that stains our nation. Bernie Sanders is the type of leader we can trust to fight for the future of all our nation's children as if they were his very own. It is for all these reasons that I am proud to endorse Bernie Sanders for president of these United States."

Jealous was the youngest-ever president of the century-old NAACP, serving from 2008 to 2013. He's credited with leading the storied civil rights group back to prominence.

"I think the proposals that we have brought forth in this campaign are proposals that will go a very, very long way to improving the lives of people of color in this nation," Sanders said. The senator cited raising the minimum wage, ensuring pay equity for women, creating millions of decent paying jobs, Medicare for all and tuition-free public colleges and universities among the plans he's put forward that would directly impact communities of color.

Jealous will travel to South Carolina on Saturday for a series of campaign stops and events throughout the Palmetto State.

To hear a recording of the conference call, click here.

To read Ben Jealous' prepared remarks, click here.