AP Photo Labor Secretary Tom Perez endorses Hillary Clinton

Labor Secretary Tom Perez — an influential voice in labor and the Hispanic community — is set to start campaigning for Hillary Clinton after endorsing her at an event in Iowa on Friday.

With the move, Perez becomes the third Cabinet secretary backing Clinton, after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Housing Secretary Julián Castro, sending yet another message about her wide-ranging support from establishment Democrats.


“Progressives believe in making progress, which is why I’m proud to endorse Hillary Clinton who I know will continue fighting to ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their highest and best dreams,” Perez said in a statement provided to POLITICO.

“Secretary Clinton is tough, smart, and understands better than any candidate the challenges that parents are talking about around dinner tables and keeping families up at night. In the coming months, I look forward to hitting the campaign trail to highlight the progress we’ve made as a nation, the unfinished business, and why Hillary Clinton is the fighter we need leading that effort."

Perez’s imminent campaign trail presence also sends an unmistakable message to Clinton’s two rivals. His previous job before serving as Obama's labor secretary was to hold that role in Maryland — a job for which he was appointed by Maryland's then-Gov. Martin O’Malley, who is running in third place against Clinton.

And it is also a reminder to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders that Clinton has the support of much of the union world and labor communities, despite the insurgent candidate’s frequent suggestion that he has the true backing of the rank and file while Clinton has simply won over labor leadership.

Clinton hesitated to roll out such endorsements with any fanfare early in her presidential bid, but after her rough summer, her campaign has stepped up its efforts to highlight major expressions of support.

With this step, Perez will join a host of Cabinet members, senators, governors and House members who are actively campaigning for the former secretary of state.