One of Puerto Rico's most well known rappers, Rene Perez of the group Calle 13, has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, praising the Vermont senator's dedication to low-income families and working-class people.
“Bernie Sanders has spent the past 30 years advocating for the working class and low-income people in the United States,” Perez told his 5.7 million followers on Twitter.
Bernie Sanders lleva más de 30 años abogando por la gente trabajadora y la clase baja de los EEUU @BernieSanders https://t.co/83yiDn2XHy
— Residente (@Residente) February 3, 2016
Many of Perez and Calle 13's songs feature themes of anti-racism, immigration, Latin American identity, and other social issues.
Perez’s endorsement comes as Sanders hopes to expand his support among Latinos, who will make up 13 percent of all eligible voters in 2016, a 2 percent increase from 2012.
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The primary focus of Sanders’ campaign has been unemployment and income inequality. He has thus far struggled to expand his base of support beyond predominantly white liberals, a fact he has sought to address by emphasizing the racial inequities perpetuated by his rivals' economic policies.