Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenCast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response Biden tells CNN town hall that he has benefited from white privilege MORE, a front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary, on Wednesday released a slate of new endorsements in Ohio as he gathers support for his White House bid in the swing state.

The endorsements, coming from nine female members of the Ohio state House, could serve as a boon for Biden, who has centered his campaign around his ability to defeat President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE in swing states, particularly in the Midwest.

“Access to quality and affordable health care has always been a priority for me, my family, and my constituents. Our current president has done everything within his power to sabotage our current health care system in order to score cheap political points,” said state Rep. Allison Russo.

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“Vice President Biden was instrumental in passing the Affordable Care Act, and has always championed for working families. His commitment to improving the health care, education, and economy for every community in Ohio and the country will pave the way for my children, and other people’s children. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Joe Biden for President.”

“We need a President who will be a committed ally in the White House, and that will share our fight for a strong working class and fair wages,” added state Rep. Kristin Boggs. “Vice President Biden is the only candidate that has the heart, experience, and record to restore America’s promise of prosperity for all people and move this nation forward.”

The Biden campaign said the new backers will play “key roles” in its "Women for Biden" movement, which works to connect and organize other women in support of the former vice president.

The nine women build on a list of nearly 40 current and former elected officials and community leaders from across the Buckeye State that have pledged support for Biden’s campaign.

Ohio is set to be hotly contested both in the 2020 Democratic primary and the general election. The state will allocate 136 pledged delegates in its March 17 primary and is a perennial swing state in presidential elections. Former President Obama won the state in both 2008 and 2012 and Trump won there by about 8 points in 2016.

Polling has been infrequent in Ohio’s primary, but an Emerson College poll released in October found Biden with a slim 2-point lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE (I-Vt.) in the contest, a difference that falls within the survey’s margin of error.