House

Engel picks up Clyburn, Schiff endorsements in reelection bid

by Zack Budryk - 06/15/20 8:01 AM ET

Greg Nash/Courtesy of the Jamaal Bowman Campaign

Top House Democratic leaders endorsed Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Elliot Engel (D-N.Y.) in his reelection bid after primary challenger Jamaal Bowman picked up a slew of endorsements from the party’s progressive wing.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the No. 3 Democrat in the House, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) both praised and endorsed Engel in statements to Politico.

“Let me be blunt: We need leaders in Congress with proven records of standing up for civil and human rights,” said Clyburn, whose endorsement of Joe Biden was seen as key to the former vice president’s landslide victory in the South Carolina primary. “Eliot Engel is not new to the fight for justice and equality — he’s been in the fight his entire life, and I have worked with him on these issues for almost three decades.”

Schiff, meanwhile, framed the New York Democrat as vital to the House’s oversight of the Trump administration.

“Ever since Trump took office, Eliot has helped expose the abuses of his administration, and hold this lawless president accountable,” Schiff said. “Eliot is a dedicated and talented public servant who knows how to get things done for the people of his district, while working diligently to protect our democracy. He has my full support for his reelection.”

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), who, like Schiff, served as an impeachment manager in President Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate, also threw his support to Engel Saturday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Congressional Black Caucus have also endorsed Engel.

Bowman has racked up recent endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). The potential of him toppling Engel, a 16-term incumbent, has earned comparisons to Ocasio-Cortez’s surprise 2018 victory against then-Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.). Engel has been on the defensive after he was caught on a live microphone suggesting he should speak at an event in his district that he “wouldn’t care” about if not for the primary challenge, a moment The New York Times cited in endorsing Bowman.

The primary is set to take place June 23.