(CNN) Former 2020 hopeful Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand endorsed Joe Biden on Thursday, saying he represented experienced leadership and a commitment to equality, despite their debate stage clashes over his views on gender roles.

"I'm proud to endorse @JoeBiden today," the New York Democrat tweeted Thursday. "Our country needs a president who will provide steady, honest leadership, and I believe Joe has the right experience, empathy, and character to lead. I'm excited to help him defeat Donald Trump in November."

Biden's campaign released a longer statement from Gillibrand that said the former vice president would be a "champion for women and families."

"It is clear that our country desperately needs a president with experience, honesty and integrity -- that person is Vice President Joe Biden," she said. "Not only does Joe have the experience to lead our country, but he has the empathy and character to go with it. Joe will fight for policies that reward work, such as the FAMILY Act, and will be a champion for women and families, workers, and young people."

The endorsement comes after Gillibrand -- who had centered her campaign on equality , especially for women, and released plans on reproductive rights and paid family leave along with a sweeping proposal she called her "family bill of rights" -- had bashed Biden on the issue during the July Democratic presidential debate.

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