Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE was endorsed by former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey (D) on Wednesday.

Kerrey, who also served as Nebraska governor, touted Biden as the best choice to defeat President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE based on Biden’s experience and character.

“I choose Joe Biden. I trust Joe Biden. I’m certain that in Joe, America will get a president ready to hit the ground running,” Kerrey said in the endorsement released by the Biden campaign.

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“I trust that Joe will assemble an experienced cabinet to do the people’s work, and that he’ll honor science and facts and renew our fight against climate change. I trust that he’ll work to narrow the widening income and wealth gaps that make it too hard for families to get by, and too easy to whip up division,” Kerrey, a Vietnam War veteran, continued.

Kerrey served as Nebraska governor from 1983 to 1987, prior to his Senate career. As a senator he served alongside Biden in the upper chamber for more than a decade, before Kerrey retired in 2000. In 2012, he tried to return to the Senate but lost to Republican Sen. Deb Fischer Debra (Deb) Strobel FischerHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections Google, Apple, eBay to meet virtually with lawmakers for tech group's annual fly-in Congress botched the CFPB's leadership — here's how to fix it MORE, who currently holds the seat.

The Biden campaign said it’s received more than 500 endorsements from national, state and local leaders.

Kerrey’s endorsement comes after Biden took the stage with 11 other contenders for the fourth Democratic debate on Tuesday night.

It also comes as prominent progressive lawmakers are coming out in support of one of Biden's rivals, Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt).

Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar urges Democrats to focus on nonvoters over 'disaffected Trump voters' Omar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE (D-Minn.) announced late Tuesday she’d support Sanders in the 2020 race, and fellow progressive freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (D-N.Y.) is expected to announce her endorsement of the Vermont senator at a Sanders rally in her Queens district on Saturday.

Biden, Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) are seen as the front-runners in the narrowing primary field.