Freshman Dem endorses Harris’s 2020 bid

Freshman Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.) on Tuesday endorsed Sen. Kamala Harris’s 2020 presidential bid, becoming the third member of Congress to endorse the California Democrat’s campaign. 

“I am so thrilled to throw my support completely behind Sen. Harris,” Hill said in an appearance on MSNBC.

“She has been just an exceptional leader in the state of California, and I think she is exactly the kind of candidate that we need to show the right kind of vision that we should have for this country.”

{mosads}Hill entered Congress this month after defeating two-term Rep. Steve Knight (R-Calif.) in November’s midterms.

Her endorsement comes just one day after fellow California Rep. Ted Lieu (D), an outspoken progressive and Trump opponent, announced his support for his home-state senator.

“Known Kamala for many years & worked together on various issues,” Lieu tweeted Monday. “She embraces the future, not the past, and is the person we need to move America forward.”

Harris was also endorsed by Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.).

“She is the tough, determined progressive we need right now to not only defeat Trump but mobilize a movement of people behind a big-hearted vision of change,” Barragán tweeted.

Harris on Sunday officially launched her bid for the White House, kicking off her campaign in front of thousands of supporters in Oakland, Calif.

The California Democrat is seeking to capitalize on high early fundraising numbers and enthusiasm from the base before the Democratic primary field, which already includes a handful of other high-profile candidates, gets even more crowded.

It was reported last week that the Harris campaign raised more than $1.5 million in online donations in the 24 hours following her announced candidacy. 

With the increased attention, recent polling has shown Harris moving up in the primary race among possible contenders which include former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas). 

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and others have already either formally declared their candidacy or suggested they intend to run in 2020.