California Rep. Costa endorses Biden

California Rep. Jim Costa (D), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign Tuesday, just hours before polls in the Golden State closed. 

“It’s time for Democrats to come together to focus on supporting the best candidate for victory in November. That’s why I am joining many of my colleagues to endorse, my friend, Joe Biden for President,” Costa said in a statement. 

Costa said Biden is “clearly the most qualified candidate,” noting the candidate’s “extensive” background in domestic and foreign policy.

“Above all else, we must have a person that has the empathy and compassion to heal the wounds and bring the divisions in our country together again,” Costa said. “Vice President Joe Biden best represents the values that offer the hope and promise for America’s future.”

Biden was previously endorsed by Democratic California Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Tony Cárdenas, Ami Bera, John Garamendi, Lou Correa, Jerry McNerney, as well as Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other officials across the state. 

California has 415 pledged delegates to award, the most of any state. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is the favorite to win the Golden State, with a wide lead in most polls. 

Sanders has a 12 point lead over Biden in California, according to a RealClearPolitics average.