(CNN) Rep. Dave Loebsack announced Sunday that he is endorsing Pete Buttigieg for president, delivering the former mayor his biggest Iowa endorsement weeks ahead of the state's key caucuses.

Loebsack, who is retiring after his term ends in 2020 , said Buttigieg "offers a new kind of leadership that we desperately need," citing the fact that he is from the Midwest, a veteran and "from a new generation."

"Iowans and our country face great challenges like climate change, increasing health care costs, and an economy that isn't working for the majority of Americans," Loebsack said in a statement. "They can't be solved with the same political warfare that is on display in Washington. Pete is the candidate that can heal our divides, restore decency to the presidency and bring this country together."

Loebsack is the second of Iowa's three Democratic members of Congress to endorse a presidential candidate in the primary. Rep. Abby Finkenauer endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden earlier in the cycle, leaving Rep. Cindy Axne the only Democrat in Iowa's congressional delegation yet to endorse.

Buttigieg, in accepting Loebsack's endorsement, heralded that the Congressman has "dedicated his life's work to creating opportunities and making life better for Iowans."

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