Sanders stumps for Democratic votes at Regunberg rally
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PROVIDENCE — The packed historic Columbus Theatre on Broadway erupted into cheers when U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders took the stage Sunday afternoon as the primary speaker at Congressional District 1 candidate Aaron Regunberg’s get-out-the-vote rally.
“Now is the time for a political revolution of working families coming together, telling the people up top, ‘This country belongs to all of us,' " the Vermont independent told the crowd. “Elect Aaron and we’re going to take a strong step forward in doing just that.”
Regunberg is one of 12 Democratic candidates vying for the seat left empty following U.S. Rep. David Cicilline’s retirement. Sanders endorsed Regunberg in July.
“We don’t just need another Democratic vote in Congress,” Sanders said on Sunday, echoing something Regunberg had said earlier. “We need people who have the guts to take on powerful special interests and fight for the working class in this country.”
In Rhode Island’s 2016 presidential preference primary, Sanders beat eventual Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 11.6 percentage points. Regunberg was one of 13 delegates committed to Sanders in 2016 and one of nine that backed him in the 2020 primary, when he lost Rhode Island to President Joseph Biden.
During his speech, Regunberg highlighted his work on the legislature, such as passing bills to give state employees paid sick leave and increase pay for tipped workers, while noting issues on his platform such as tackling climate change.
“This is a deep-blue district,” Regunberg said. “This is the kind of district that can support a lot more than just one more Democratic vote. This is a district that can support someone who's actually going to organize up there; someone who’s going to fight to help build power for working people in Washington; someone who’s ready to stand up to Republicans and corporate lobbyists with every tool that they’ve got.”
Other than Sanders, Regunberg’s rally featured speeches from Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois, state Rep. Cherie Cruz, state Rep. Leonela Felix and AFA-CWA president Sara Nelson. Musical guest Vanessa Carlton, a resident of Warwick, performed three songs, including her hit, "A Thousand Miles," prior to the speeches.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Bernie Sanders tries to get out the Democratic vote at Regunberg's rally
