Congressman Pete Visclosky endorses Buttigieg for president

Chris Sikich | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption Pete Buttigieg: What we know about the South Bend mayor and his presidential run Pete Buttigieg, a two-term mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is now running for president at the age of 37. Here's what we know about the man and his campaign.

Indiana Congressman Pete Visclosky announced today to IndyStar that he is endorsing Pete Buttigieg in the Democratic primary for president.

Visclosky, who represents a steel-belt district in northwest Indiana, said Buttigieg stands with organized labor.

“For decades, I’ve worked alongside the labor community to ensure that Hoosier families could get a fair shake," the Merrillville Democrat said in a prepared statement. "With labor rights under assault across the country, we need a leader who views fair wages and safe working conditions as key to the economic success of this nation."

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Visclosky, who is Indiana's longest-serving member of Congress, will retire after 2020. He is a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

"We deserve a president who has not only fought for our country but who will continue to fight for an economy that works for everyone," Visclosky said. "Pete has seen firsthand what corporate recklessness can do to American families and I’m confident he can usher in a new era of economic success."

It's Buttigieg's second Congressional endorsement. In April, Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia announced his support. Former Rep. Patrick Murphy of Florida, an Iraq war veteran, also endorsed him.

In September, 50 U.S. mayors announced their support of their South Bend peer. The list included 10 from Indiana, though notably not Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

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Call IndyStar reporter Chris Sikich at 317-444-6036. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich.