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Hillary Clinton on Friday picked up key endorsements from minority lawmakers in her bid to secure victory in Virginia’s March 1 Democratic presidential primary.

Most members of the General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus endorsed the former secretary of state over rival Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

“After carefully studying the candidates’ positions on issues that impact my constituents in Hampton, I’m proud to join many of my colleagues in the Legislative Black Caucus to announce my endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president,” Sen. Mamie E. Locke, D-Hampton, chairwoman of the caucus, said in a statement issued by the campaign.

“Hillary will build on President Obama’s progress by fixing our broken criminal justice system, fighting systemic racism, and breaking down the barriers that are holding families back from economic success,” Locke added, saying Clinton is the “only candidate who will protect and build” on the Affordable Care Act.

“Hillary has spent her whole career fighting for communities like ours and I know she’ll continue that fight as president.”

Clinton picked up the endorsements of state Sens. Kenneth C. Alexander, D-Norfolk; Locke; A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, and L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth.