Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq MORE has picked up the endorsement of Equality California, one of the country's largest LGBTQ advocacy groups, and its Nevada sister organization, which could prove important in the primaries.

The former South Bend, Ind., mayor is the only openly gay candidate in the Democratic primary race, but the endorsement wasn't a guarantee, as an Equality California panel also considered Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (D-Mass.) and billionaire Tom Steyer Tom SteyerTV ads favored Biden 2-1 in past month Inslee calls Biden climate plan 'perfect for the moment' OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump administration finalizes plan to open up Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling | California finalizes fuel efficiency deal with five automakers, undercutting Trump | Democrats use vulnerable GOP senators to get rare win on environment MORE, who's from California. Each candidate in the race had the chance to fill out a survey for the committee.

But, Equality California’s executive director, Rick Zbur, told The Associated Press that it was ultimately "an easy decision."

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According to the group, Buttigieg impressed the endorsement committee with his in-depth policies for protecting LGBTQ youth in schools and stopping the HIV epidemic by 2030.

"My campaign is based around a shared future of belonging for all Americans, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Buttigieg said in an emailed statement to the wire service.

“President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans members, have shown us that the fight for equal rights did not end with marriage equality. I will be the President to continue that fight for equality,” he continued.