Progressive Challenger to Wasserman Schultz Nabs Major Endorsement

Tim Canova, the progressive challenger running to unseat embattled Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, on Friday was endorsed by the grassroots advocacy group Democracy for America (DFA), which called Canova a "political revolutionary."

In a statement on Friday, DFA chairman Jim Dean criticized Wasserman Schultz for allying with "wealthy interests" that fuel inequality and said that "if Democrats are going to be the party that confronts the wealthy and powerful who dominate our political process and enable growing income inequality, we need political revolutionaries like Tim Canova in the U.S. Congress."

"DFA members are backing Tim Canova in this race for Congress, not for who he supports or who supports him, but because he has spent his life challenging the power of Wall Street banks, multinational corporations, and the systemic political corruption that keeps them profitable at the expense of everyone else," he added.

It's the latest major endorsement for the Florida professor and politician, who also received the support of Bernie Sanders last week.

Sanders and DFA both praised Canova's outspoken opposition to the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal--a central platform of his campaign.

"From her vote in support of fast track authority for the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership to her unabashed protection of a payday lending industry that makes billions off the back struggling working families, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has aligned herself with the wealthy interests who are making income inequality worse in our country," Dean said.

Canova said the endorsement from DFA was an honor.

"They understand that Debbie Wasserman Schultz has failed us by standing with Republicans and corporate interests against the people of South Florida," he said in a statement. "I'm glad to have them on board as we continue to build a grassroots campaign that believes in progress for all."

Canova and DFA have also both endorsed Sanders' presidential campaign.