Pete Buttigieg picks up first congressional endorsement [View all]

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Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg picked up his first endorsement from a member of Congress on Wednesday when Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia announced his support for the South Bend, Indiana, mayor. Beyer's backing is yet another signal that Buttigieg, who was once relatively unknown on the national stage, has gathered momentum in the race for the Democratic nomination.

"I am delighted and full of hope today as I announce that I am endorsing Pete Buttigieg for President of the United States," said the third-term congressman, who represents Northern Virginia. "This will be the 13th presidential election of my adult life, and perhaps the most important."

Beyer noted in his statement that he had endorsed then-Sen. Barack Obama early in the 2008 nomination fight because he was "moved by both his intelligence and his political capability." The congressman goes on to say he is "similarly inspired by Mayor Pete" and feels "the promise of a new generation" in his candidacy.

"The Democratic Party is as alive as it has ever been in my lifetime," Beyer said. "I believe Pete Buttigieg is best able to harness that energy and address our national crisis, and I heartily commit to rolling up my sleeves next to his and helping elect him as the 46th President of the United States."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/24/politics/pete-buttigieg-congressional-endorsement/index.html