Rep. Ruben GallegoRuben GallegoDefense bill turns into proxy battle over Floyd protests Overnight Defense: Trump’s move to use military in US sparks backlash | Defense officials take heat | Air Force head calls Floyd’s death ‘a national tragedy’ Democrats blast Trump’s use of military against protests MORE (D-Ariz.) threw his support behind Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE’s Democratic presidential bid on Thursday, in a move that could help the California senator gain momentum as she slips in the polls.
Harris’s campaign also announced that Gallego, who is a veteran and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, would serve as the campaign’s national security chairman.
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“At a time when we are one tweet away from war, Kamala has demonstrated she has the tenacity, toughness, and judgment to restore American global leadership,” Gallego said in a statement.
“Her bold plans to provide health care for all and citizenship for Dreamers shows that she’ll be a problem-solving president, and her track record of fighting for immigrants, consumers, veterans, and victims shows us that she truly does work for the people,” he continued.
Gallego, who also sits on the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, will likely also help Harris target Latino voters in Arizona, which is slated to play a crucial role in 2020.
The congressman is the latest in a slew of lawmakers to endorse Harris. The senator is only second to former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE in endorsements, according to FiveThirtyEight.
However, Harris’s support has dwindled in a number of recent polls.
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A CNN poll released Wednesday, for example, showed Harris with 8 percent support, trailing Biden and Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) in the 2020 field.
Harris saw a surge this summer after a standout performance in the first round of Democratic debates, with a CNN poll finding her with 17 percent support in July.
She will be among 10 candidates taking the stage in Houston on Thursday evening for the party’s next 2020 presidential debate.