Rep. Kathleen Rice Kathleen Maura RiceHillicon Valley: Simulated cyberattack success | New bill for election security funding | Amazon could be liable for defective products Lawmakers introduce bill to help election officials address cyber vulnerabilities House lawmakers to launch probe into DHS excluding NY from Trusted Traveler Program MORE (D-N.Y.) endorsed Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE (D) Tuesday in the Democratic presidential primary race, giving the South Bend, Ind., mayor his third congressional endorsement.

Rice, who had previously backed former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE (D) before he dropped out of the 2020 race, called Buttigieg a strong candidate to take on President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE and unite the country after Trump is out.

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"Pete has demonstrated an unmatched ability and willingness to reach voters from across the political spectrum. He has introduced bold, yet commonsense policies that will address both our nation's long- and short-term challenges, and has avoided the divisive rhetoric that too often derails these important conversations," Rice said in a statement shared by the Buttigieg campaign.

"Pete represents the new voice and fresh perspective that our party and our country needs right now, and I'm proud to endorse him," she continued.

The Long Island congresswoman, who represents portions of Nassau County, is Buttigieg's second congressional endorsement in two days.

Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) announced his endorsement of the mayor Monday.

Rice had made a similar argument for needing a "new voice and fresh perspective" in the party when she didn't back Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE (D-Calif.) last year for the top House position.

Buttigieg's first congressional endorsement was from Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), who backed the mayor in April, saying he is "similarly inspired" by Buttigieg as he was former President Obama.