Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) on Thursday announced his first endorsements in South Carolina, a pivotal primary state.

The endorsements came from seven black state representatives and were announced ahead of Sanders's speech to the state's Legislative Black Caucus later on Thursday. He was also endorsed by South Carolina AFL-CIO President Emeritus Donna DeWitt.

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“We’re proud to have the endorsement of some of South Carolina’s most distinguished elected officials, labor, and faith leaders," said Sanders's South Carolina state director Kwadjo Campbell. "With their support, and the support of thousands of volunteers across the state, our campaign is building a grassroots movement that will fundamentally transform this country."

South Carolina is expected to play a key role in the 2020 Democratic contest because of how early it holds its primary and the diversity of its voters.

Other high-profile candidates like Sens. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE (D-Mass.), as well as former 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-Texas), have campaigned heavily in the state, almost a year before its primary.

State Rep. John King (D) became the first South Carolina lawmaker to make a 2020 endorsement, declaring his support for Booker earlier this month.

Soon after, Harris announced five key endorsements in the state.

State Rep. Marvin Pendarvis (D) has endorsed O'Rourke.

Among the lawmakers endorsing Sanders are Rep. Krystle Simmons (D), the first black woman to represent the low country region in the state House, and state Rep. Terry Alexander, a reverend who endorsed Sanders in 2016.

“Bernie Sanders is a champion for women's rights and has been rocking with middle class and minority communities since before he was popular. What he did back then matters just as much as it does now,” Simmons said in a statement.

“I support Sen. Sanders, because I believe in his positions that will move this country forward,” Alexander said. “His openness to change, his progressive stance on issues that impact so many people; this is why I was one of the first legislators in South Carolina to endorse him in 2016 and am doing so this year so that we can finish what he started many years ago.”