Hillary Clinton earns Working Families Party endorsement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The left-wing Working Families Party, which had endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, has announced it is endorsing Hillary Clinton in the general election.

The party said 68 percent of its members, along with its executive board, backed the decision.

The party praised Clinton's proposals on election reform, immigration and the economy while assailing Donald Trump.

"A Trump victory would not only put an unqualified, know-nothing, narcissistic, authoritarian jerk in the White House, it would empower the most malignant tendencies in American society," the party said. "He offers up a phony, racist populism. He mocks the disabled. He stokes fear and incites hatred of immigrants, Muslims, and women. His rhetoric has generated violence."

Speaking to Clinton, the party pledged to "hold her accountable for her campaign promises"

"This is not to say that Hillary Clinton is perfect. She's not. No candidate is. The truth is, if she becomes President Clinton, she will only be as good as we  --  social movements, unions, progressive activists and organizations  -- make her."

Clinton responded, thanking the Working Families Party for its support.

"Working families are the engine behind our economy, the heart of our democracy, and the core of what makes America great. But today, it's too hard for working people to get ahead and stay ahead," Clinton said. "That's why the Working Families Party is so important. For almost two decades, they have fought to make our economy fairer and our country stronger. They've fought to raise the minimum wage in states and cities across the country; combat climate change and create new, good-paying jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency; and train and elect trailblazing progressive leaders."