Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg secured his first congressional endorsement on Wednesday from Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.).
Beyer compared the South Bend, Ind., mayor to former President Obama while announcing his endorsement.
“By now, I have a strong gut reaction to candidates. I endorsed Barack Obama early, having been moved by both his intelligence and his political capability,” Beyer said in a statement. “I am similarly inspired by Mayor Pete. With him, I feel the promise of a new generation, and I see a way out of the darkness.”{mosads}
Beyer, a third-term lawmaker, represents a deep-blue Northern Virginia district just outside of Washington.
“Pete’s leadership in managing his midwestern hometown tells us much about his values and his loyalty. Both his enthusiasm and his sensibility are infectious and essential to the job he seeks,” Beyer said.
So far, the Democratic presidential contenders with the most congressional endorsements also serve on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) currently has the most endorsements from members of Congress, with 12 fellow members of the New Jersey delegation endorsing him, according to The Hill’s tally.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has five endorsements from fellow Californians, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has four from the Massachusetts delegation. Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) has four endorsements total from Texas, New York and Florida lawmakers.
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) each have three congressional endorsements. And Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has only been endorsed by New York Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney.