Democrat Bernie Sanders picks up 1st senator endorsement

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Wednesday earned his first endorsement from a U.S. Senate colleague.

In a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, one of the most progressive members of the upper chamber, called Sanders "boldly and fiercely" in addressing biggest challenges facing the country, sharing Sanders' stance on opposing trade deals, pivoting fossil fuels to renewable energy, and reforming campaign finance.

"After considering the biggest challenges facing our nation and the future I want for my children and our country, I have decided to become the first member of the Senate to support my colleague Bernie Sanders for president," wrote Merkley.

Merkley's endorsement could be important as Sanders was eying a win in Oregon, which would hold its Democratic primary on May 17 with 74 delegates up for grabs.

In his endorsement, Merkley avoided taking a direct jab at the party's presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, but wrote that Sanders' campaign had become more about the elections.

"But his leadership on these issues and his willingness to fearlessly stand up to the powers that be have galvanized a grass-roots movement," wrote Merkley. "People know that we don't need better policies, we need a wholesale rethinking of how our economy and our politics work, and for whom they work."

While Merkley's endorsement was Sanders' first from a sitting U.S. senator, Clinton had so far garnered roughly 40 endorsements from 44 Democrats in the Senate.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warrens, the darling of the progressive wing of the party whose endorsement was among the most sought-after ones in this Democratic primary season that had so far prioritized progressive agendas, had not endorsed either candidate. Endit