Joe Biden 2020: Former VP gains endorsements from Sen. Joe Manchin and top Muslim political group

Despite his struggle to be visible throughout this pandemic when the focus is mainly on the White House, former vice president Joe Biden continues to gain momentum in his candidacy. Biden recently gained two more endorsements from a senator and a top Muslim political group.

Politico reports that Senator Joe Manchin announced that he will support Biden in the 2020 Elections. Asked by the press whether he’d support Biden in this upcoming election, Manchin replied, “I will, absolutely.” Manchin, a conservative Democrat, revealed that he is in touch with the former vice president to come up with an endorsement that will keep people in his state from unemployment. Even if Manchin has announced his support for Biden, it is not clear whether he supports Biden’s platform, as he nearly revoked his support for Hillary Clinton back in 2016, and did not vote for Barack Obama in 2012.

Manchin’s endorsement also follows three major endorsements that Biden has received, from both former rivals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and from Obama in a span of three days.

But that might change this time, as Manchin revealed that he is comfortable with Biden’s outreach to Appalachia, where energy jobs play a big role in both the United States economy as well as politics. “I’ve been working and talking to different people. We’re definitely getting there. You can’t just leave people behind that did the heavy lifting and that’s worked hard, whether it’s producing coal or producing energy for this country. They just need an opportunity to live their lives and have that opportunity. And I think Joe Biden understands that.”

Aside from Manchin, top Muslim political group Emgage, also announced their endorsement for Biden. They explained that Biden supports lifting the travel ban to several predominantly Muslim countries placed by President Donald Trump’s administration as well as raising refugee admissions caps and immigration system reforms among other issues is why they have chosen to back the former vice president.

“Joe Biden is the type of leader who can restore America’s promise to its citizens, especially its most vulnerable, and to the world,” said Emgage CEO Wa’el Alzayat.

Biden thanked the group for choosing to endorse him. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of Emgage PAC. From small business owners creating jobs to health care professionals on the front lines fighting COVID-19, Muslim-Americans contribute every day to the fabric and success of our nation. As president, I will stand up for Muslim communities across the country, immediately repeal Donald Trump’s Muslim ban, and embrace diversity as a core strength of our nation, not demonize it.”