Hillary Clinton is set to receive the backing of a major union and Latino influencer on Friday in Iowa when U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, the third Obama Administration Cabinet official to do so, announces his endorsement of her campaign for president.
In a statement, Perez said “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, who is the first Dominican-American to serve in a cabinet position, was formerly the state labor secretary to former Governor Martin O’Malley in Maryland before being nominated by President Obama to his current position.
O’Malley is currently running third to Clinton in the Democratic primary.
The announcement follows the earlier cabinet level endorsements from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor and Secretary Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, Texas.
As Clinton and other 2016 candidates on both sides of the aisle look to solidify support in the Latino community, Perez’s endorsement represents a strong signal of the support Clinton is receiving from not only the Democratic establishment, but also leaders in the Latino community as well as the labor movement and comes as a setback to others in the race who have tried to characterize themselves as champions of labor and of Latino causes.
Secretary Perez added “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.”
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