Following Stunning Healthcare Vote, DFA Backs Sen. Mazie Hirono for Reelection in Hawaii

BURLINGTON, Vt., July 28 -- Democracy for America issued the following news release:

The day after her heartfelt speech helped derail the seven-year campaign by Senate Republicans to repeal Obamacare, Democracy for America (DFA) endorsed Senator Mazie Hirono in her bid to continue representing Hawaii in the U.S. Senate.

DFA has 8,197 members in Hawaii and more than one million members nationwide.

DFA Chair Jim Dean on the grassroots progressive organization's decision to support Sen. Hirono's reelection effort:

"Democracy for America members can't wait any longer to demonstrate our support for Senator Mazie Hirono's re-election after her impassioned speech last night in defense of Obamacare."

"Throughout the fight to protect the Affordable Care Act, Senator Mazie Hirono has stood out as a consistent voice for the voiceless and a steadfast advocate for Medicare for All, the fundamental transformation to healthcare our country needs now more than ever. Even more amazingly, Senator Hirono has waged these fights and spoken out in support of a bold policy agenda, all while fearlessly waging a battle with cancer.

"Put simply: Over the last few months, Senator Mazie Hirono has fought for the lives of millions of Americans at the same time she's been fighting for her own. That kind of selfless devotion to resistance and persistence doesn't just make Senator Hirono someone we want in our corner, it makes her someone who should be an inspiration to all those who care about progressive change.

"DFA and its million members are honored to stand with Senator Hirono in her unwavering fight for the people of Hawaii and the big, bold populist progressive ideas that will make our country a more just, equal, and better place for all Americans." -- Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America

Sen. Mazie Hirono on DFA's endorsement:

"Democracy for America and its members are on the front lines of the most important progressive fights in our country. I am honored to receive their endorsement and to fight at their side in the battles to come." -- Senator Mazie Hirono (HI)

Hirono is the fifth Senate incumbent DFA has backed in the 2018 cycle. Earlier this year, Democracy for America endorsed Senators Elizabeth Warren (MA), Sherrod Brown (OH), Bernie Sanders (VT), and Tammy Baldwin (WI) in their races for reelection. In 2012, DFA supported Hirono in her first race for the U.S. Senate and, in 2014, the grassroots group backed Sen. Brian Schatz in his contested race for the Aloha State's other Senate seat.

Democracy for America is a member-driven, people-powered progressive PAC with more than one million members nationwide committed to taking on income inequality, money in politics, and structural racism. Since its 2004 founding, DFA members have raised and contributed more than $40 million and made more than 11.1 million volunteer calls to help successfully elect 917 progressive candidates nationwide.