VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden National postal mail handlers union endorses Biden MORE for president on Saturday, days before Virginians vote on Super Tuesday.

"I'm going to endorse Joe Biden," McAuliffe, a CNN commentator, said on the network following Biden's decisive win in the South Carolina primary.

"I've thought long and hard about this," he continued. "To me, it's an electability issue — who has the best shot of beating Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE."

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"I want someone who's going to protect ObamaCare," he said. "I think Joe Biden has the best chance of winning Virginia in the general election. You can't sit on the sidelines, so I'm going to go all-in for Joe Biden."

McAuliffe also cited Biden's potential positive impact on down-ballot races as a reason for supporting the former vice president in the primary.

"I worry in Virginia. We've got two new [House] members, Abigail Spanberger Abigail Davis SpanbergerThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep The Hill's Campaign Report: Florida hangs in the balance Eric Cantor teams up with former rival Dave Brat in supporting GOP candidate in former district MORE and Elaine Luria Elaine Goodman LuriaUS Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats House panel votes against curtailing Insurrection Act powers after heated debate Republican Scott Taylor wins Virginia primary, to face Elaine Luria in rematch MORE, in very tough districts," he said. "Joe Biden will be the best person at the top of the ticket to make sure we keep those seats."

McAuliffe's endorsement comes after Biden scored another notable endorsement from the state's Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Catholic group launches .7M campaign against Biden targeting swing-state voters GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure MORE's (D) on Friday.

The former Virginia governor will join Biden in Norfolk, Va., on Sunday.

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Virginians will vote in the state's Democratic primary on Tuesday where 99 pledged delegates are at stake.

Recent polling shows Biden with newfound momentum in the commonwealth. A Wason Center poll released Friday showed Biden leading the Democratic field in the state with 22 percent support. Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.) trailed with 17 percent support, while former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg came in at 13 percent.

Sanders and Bloomberg have also made plays in Virginia ahead of Super Tuesday. Bloomberg visited McLean, Va., on Saturday, while Sanders held a rally in the state on Thursday and two on Saturday.