LI's Rep. Kathleen Rice endorses Buttigieg: 'He has introduced bold, yet commonsense policies'

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Democratic congresswoman Kathleen Rice, who represents part of Nassau County, announced on Tuesday she is endorsing presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. 

"Pete represents the new voice and fresh perspective that our party and our country needs right now, and I'm proud to endorse him," Rice, a former Nassau County District Attorney, said about the South Bend, Indiana, mayor who has risen to the top of polls in Iowa recently. 

Rice previously endorsed Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, but he has dropped out of the race. 

Rice's endorsement is the third congressional endorsement for Buttigieg: Indiana's Rep. Pete Visclosky announced his endorsement of Buttigieg on Monday, and Virginia's Rep. Don Beyer announced his endorsement of the Afghanistan veteran in April. 

Rice explained, "2020 is the most consequential election in our lifetime, and I want to fight for a candidate who represents me and my constituents, who can unite our country, and who has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. For me, that candidate is Pete Buttigieg."

She further explained, "Pete has demonstrated an unmatched ability and willingness to reach voters from across the political spectrum. He has introduced bold, yet commonsense policies that will address both our nation's long- and short-term challenges, and has avoided the divisive rhetoric that too often derails these important conversations."