In a completely expected announcement, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires said he is endorsing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president.

Sires, D-08, said in a statement that he worked closely with Clinton when she headed the State Department and he was "impressed with her strength, her experience and her determination to keep our nation safe."

"I am also confident that Hillary is fully committed to the comprehensive immigration reform that is so important for our nation's future," Sires said. "I believe that Hillary Clinton is honest and sincere and well prepared to be an excellent president for our great nation and I am very proud to support her."

Sire's endorsement was first reported by Hudson County View.

The former state assemblyman and West New York mayor becomes the latest Democrat to side with Clinton over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination for president in what has become an acrimonious contest. According to FiveThirtyEight, Clinton has dozens of Democratic members of Congress behind her, while Sanders has nine.

Top Hudson County Democrats have also declared their support of Clinton.

The New Jersey presidential primary is Tuesday, June 7.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.