[H]ours after Bernie Sanders put out a news release titled “I’m In It to Win It,” The New York Times reported that the Vermont senator’s campaign is in the midst of laying off hundreds of staffers to survive the rest of the primary season.
“We want to win as many delegates as we can, so we do not need workers now in states around the country,” Sanders told the Times. “We don’t need people right now in Connecticut. That election is over. We don’t need them in Maryland. So what we are going to do is allocate our resources to the 14 contests that remain, and that means that we are going to be cutting back on staff.”
In a Wednesday evening news release, the campaign announced it would move forward with roughly 300 staffers. The campaign said that with 80 percent of all primary contests completed, it can function with a pared-down organization.
“This campaign believes that we have a path toward victory and we’re going to marshal our resources to do everything we can to win the Democratic nomination,” said spokesman Michael Briggs.
Earlier Wednesday, Sanders acknowledged his tough path to the nomination but told supporters that he is the better general election choice than Hillary Clinton, pointing to national polls where he is ahead.
“We are behind today. But you know what? Unusual things happen in politics,” Sanders said. “With your help, superdelegates may reach the conclusion that Bernie Sanders will be the strongest candidate against Donald Trump or any other candidate.”
Sanders continues to campaign, holding rallies Wednesday in Indiana and Oregon.
The Times reported that the campaign is focusing most of its energy on California, which votes June 7.
While the state is unlikely to reshape the race, if Sanders were to claim a good chunk of its 475 pledged delegates, he could enter the Democratic National Convention in July with more leverage in shaping the party platform.
After a set of tough losses Tuesday, Sanders said he is now hoping to win as many delegates as possible to “fight for a progressive party platform.”