SILVER SPRING, MD — Maryland State Sen. William Smith Jr., D-Montgomery, has thrown his support behind Democratic presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

The Afghanistan war veteran announced he was endorsing Buttigieg, who is also an Afghanistan war veteran, last week in a tweet linking to a Maryland Matters story. @PeteButtigieg has demonstrated an incredible ability to both overcome challenges and unite Americans around their shared values. That's why I am proud to endorse Pete Buttigieg, veteran and servant leader, for President of the United States.

https://t.co/jAWpKFPPnD

— Senator Will Smith (@Willcsmithjr) January 24, 2020 Smith's endorsement comes less than two weeks before the Feb. 3 caucuses in Iowa.