Rep. Sean Maloney Sean Patrick MaloneyAudience cheers Maloney for getting Sondland to say he assumes Trump 'would benefit' from investigation into Bidens Applause breaks out after Vindman says he's not worried about testifying because 'this is America' Live coverage: House holds third day of public impeachment hearings MORE (D-N.Y.) on Friday stood by his early endorsement of Beto O’Rourke in the Democratic presidential race, saying he doesn’t think anyone should count the former Texas congressman out just yet.

Maloney, who backed O’Rourke just hours after he launched his campaign in March, said in an interview with Hill.TV that he believes O’Rourke is well-positioned to represent the party as a whole, even if polling suggests otherwise.

“There is essentially a lane here for somebody who is not the [former] vice president, who represents a new generation and who can represent the whole coalition of the Democratic Party,” Maloney said, referring to the race's current frontrunner, Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE.

“I wouldn’t count him out yet,” he added.

Maloney maintained that O’Rourke is the right choice to take on President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE in the 2020 election and would make an "outstanding president," citing his personal experience working alongside the former Texas congressman during his six years in the House.

“I know him as a close friend, I know his family, I know what’s in his heart,” he told Hill.TV. “He’s decent, he’s honest, he’s in this for the right reasons.”

O’Rourke has been lagging in national polls over the last few months.

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey released on Thursday found that just 2 percent of likely primary voters would support O’Rourke. The Texas congressman was among a handful of Democratic candidates in the crowded primary field to receive support from more than 1 percent of voters in the survey.

Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On 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 Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.), meanwhile, topped the poll by a sizable margin.

According to the poll, 26 percent of likely primary voters support Biden, compared to 19 percent who support Warren. Sens. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.) tied for third place at 13 percent.

—Tess Bonn