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Rep. Jim Clyburn declared Hillary Clinton the candidate best positioned to conquer a range of challenges, including income inequality to education and health care. Rep. Jim Clyburn officially endorses Hillary Clinton

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) made official his endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president on Friday, declaring her the candidate best positioned to conquer a range of challenges, including income inequality to education and health care.

“A few days ago, I admitted that my head and my heart were in different places relative to this year’s presidential primary," the South Carolina lawmakers said at a press conference. "Today however, my head and my heart are in the same place."

Clyburn, an influential black leader in South Carolina and nationally, remarked that some had speculated that his remark last week that his "head and heart are in different places right now" to mean that he was torn between Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

"That was not the case at all. My heart has always been with Hillary Clinton. But my head had me in a neutral corner. But after intensive discussions with my wife, Emily, who is here today, our children and grandchildren and other constituents and friends here in South Carolina and across the country, I have decided to terminate my neutrality and get engaged," he said, noting that he had the opportunity to work with both candidates "up close and personal" in Congress.

"My experiences with both have been pleasant and enjoyable," he said. "But in spite of how it may sound some times, campaigns are, and should be, about the future. And I believe that the future of the Democratic Party and the United States of America will be best served with the experiences and know-how of Hillary Clinton as our 45th president.”