State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk on Thursday endorsed Democrat Peter Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, as the outstanding candidate in the Democratic field for president.

“I have known Pete for the better part of eight, nine years, and I know he’s a candidate who can bring the country back again,” Duff said in an interview. Buttigieg will appear at fundraising events in New Canaan on Friday morning and Greenwich at noontime.

“He speaks in a way people can understand, and I have confidence with his plans to unite this country," said Duff, who plans to attend the New Canaan brunch, which is being held at an undisclosed location. "I think he can inspire, unite, and think long-term for our children and grandchildren. He thinks of an America that can become better and brighter than today. He’s a candidate to unite a very broken country.”