LA Mayor Eric Garcetti endorses Biden

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) endorsed Joe Biden for president on Thursday, giving the former vice president a high-profile backer in a key Super Tuesday state.

Garcetti, who was once considered a potential 2020 contender, credited Biden with helping the city enact a $15 minimum wage and forging “the most sweeping climate agreement prior to the Paris accords.”

“Democrats are blessed to have such an extraordinary field of candidates, but I will never forget what Joe Biden has done for my city and our nation,” Garcetti said in a statement. “We need Joe Biden to bring our nation and world together during these most divided and dangerous times. I know that from day one, he will heal our nation, repair our relationships abroad and get things done — and will be a true partner in solving the national homelessness crisis.”

Garcetti will serve as a national campaign co-chairman for the Biden campaign, bolstering his roster of California endorsements, which also includes Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) and Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Tony Cárdenas, Ami Bera, John Garamendi and Lou Correa, among others.

California, which offers more delegates than any other state, will play a big role in determining the Democratic presidential nominee, as voters head to the polls on March 15, which is earlier in the process than past cycles.