“We cannot let the Tea Party continue to threaten Social Security and Medicare. The House of Representatives needs more people like Cecil Bothwell who are willing to fight for working families and Progressive values,” said Grijalva.

In addition to co-chairing the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives, Congressman Grijalva is Co-Chair of the National Landscape Conservation System Caucus, Vice-Chair of the House LGBT Equality Caucus and a member of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition. He has been a vocal supporter of immigration reform and a staunch opponent of Arizona's misguided state-level immigration law.

Bothwell said, "I am deeply gratified to be endorsed by one of my heroes in Congress. Rep. Grijalva stands up for the people of his district, his state and our country in the same way that I intend to represent the people of Western North Carolina. When he and I joined Van Jones in Washington last October to support rebuilding the American Dream, I felt I had linked arms with a man and a movement that represents the best we can hope to be. I will be proud to join the Progressive Caucus next January."