Hillary Clinton

In this photo taken Jan. 12, 2016, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks in Ames, Iowa.

(Patrick Semansky/The Associated Press)

The Alabama Legislative Black Caucus today endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president.

Clinton, who is battling Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination, received the endorsement because of what the caucus described as her long record of fighting for racial and social equality and her proposals for criminal justice reforms, increased voting rights access and expanded affordable health care options, according to a news release.

"Hillary Clinton is the only candidate in this election who truly understands the struggles African American families face every day in Alabama, and the only candidate that has put forth a realistic plan to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians regardless of the color of their skin," Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, chairman of the caucus, said in a news release.

Alabama's presidential primary is March 1.