Illinois State Rep. Lamont Robinson has endorsed Pete Buttigieg for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential race.

Robinson, who’s wrapping up his first term representing the 5th District in the Illinois House, is the first openly Black gay official in the General Assembly. Buttigieg, who serves as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is an openly gay candidate who is among a crowded field of Democratic contenders seeking to unseat President Donald Trump.

In his endorsement, Robinson praised Buttigieg for his Douglass Plan to help improve homeownership, entrepreneurship, education, health and justice in Black America.

“I’m proud to endorse Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s historic candidacy for President. Pete’s message is resonating with Americans across the political spectrum and in every corner of the country,” Robinson said in a statement. “His campaign is rooted in reasoned policy proposals, not the vitriol we have coming out of Washington right now. He is the right person to unite our country to meet the most significant challenges of our generation we’re facing from climate change, an increasingly unbalanced economy, and a health care system that is bankrupting families.

“Pete is putting in the work to introduce himself to Black communities and I’m grateful that he reached out to me to help him build that trust and support. He understands that if we do not address systemic racism that it will tear our country apart. That’s why he proposed the Douglass Plan, the most comprehensive and thoughtful policy in the race to boost Black entrepreneurship and dismantle our country’s racist structures and systems. I am confident that the more members of our community get to know him, the more they will join me in supporting this once-in-a-generation candidate.”

Buttigieg in a statement, said “I’m grateful to have Representative Robinson in my corner in this now-or-never moment, when the decisions we make today will impact the future of our country for generations to come. We must pursue a bold new vision for the future of our country that includes every American. Our entire country is held back when your zip code, name, and race determine your quality of life. I’m delighted that Representative Robinson is joining our effort to unite Americans behind bold solutions like the Douglass Plan to bring needed change in our lifetimes.”