Working Families Party endorses Bernie Sanders

BALTIMORE, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Working Families Party members have spoken, naming Bernie Sanders as their choice for president after a week-long voting period.

Voting began last Monday. WFP members were asked to choose between Sanders, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. The endorsement for Sanders, announced Tuesday morning, is the first in a national race for the party, according to The New York Times.

Voters registered with the WFP cannot vote in the Democratic primary, however WFP often throws its support behind Democratic candidates. The party's relevance has grown in recent years. WFP support played a major role in the victory of New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio in 2013, according to the New York Times.

This year, two WFP candidates won state legislative seats in New York. In the past, the party has also successfully elected a number of New York City Council members, and has successfully pushed progressive ballot measures.

The endorsement came as the Sanders campaign paid a visit to Baltimore, Md. The Baltimore Sun reports Sanders visited the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood Tuesday, where Freddie Gray was arrested in April. Gray died after suffering a spinal chord injury in police custody.

The visit coincides with the trial for Officer William Porter, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter, assault and misconduct in connection with Gray's death. WBFF reports all six officers charged in connection with Gray's death are to be tried separately.