U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas on Monday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president.

"During my tenure in Congress, I've seen firsthand Vice President Biden's commitment to getting real work done on behalf of all Americans," Johnson said in a prepared statement. "Now, our nation is at a crossroads. We, more than ever, need a leader who can bring people together and get our country back on the right track."

Johnson, the longtime representative for Congressional District 30, told The Dallas Morning News and KXAS-TV (NBC5) earlier this year that she would back Biden, if he entered the Democratic Party presidential primary.

At the time she was considering supporting Sen. Kamala Harris of California, but added that Biden would be her first choice.

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson bows her head as she thanks supporters for voting for her as she makes remarks during state Sen. Royce West's campaign launch for U.S. Senate at the CWA Local 6215 Union Hall in Dallas on Monday. (Shaban Athuman / Staff Photographer)

In backing Biden, Johnson has spurned Texas presidential candidates Beto O'Rourke and Julián Castro, the former Housing secretary and former San Antonio mayor.

Earlier this year, Johnson told The News that she called O'Rourke and asked him to run for Senate against John Cornyn, instead of president.

On Monday, Johnson endorsed state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, against Cornyn.

Johnson's endorsement of the former vice president signals that Biden has strong support from black leaders, which could be critical in the highly competitive Democratic primary.