With more than two years before the 2016 election, one-fifth of all congressional Democrats have already endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, even though the secretary of the state has not yet announced she is running.
The Hill finds that 18 Democratic senators and 39 representatives have voiced support for Clinton, making up one-third and one-fifth of the respective chambers’ members, and bringing Clinton-backers to a total of 56. Among her early supporters are a handful of members in leadership positions in their respective caucuses, including second-ranking House Democrat Steny Hoyer of Maryland and third-ranking Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York.
Some of Clinton’s supporters in the Senate may no longer be there come the 2016 election campaign, as they face tough reelection races this year, including North Carolina’s Kay Hagan, Louisiana’s Mary Landrieu, and New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen.