Montco Congresswoman Madeleine Dean Endorses Joe Biden

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — As the Pennsylvania primary approaches and the Democratic presidential race heats up, U.S. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday.

Dean, a Democrat representing the 4th District, marks the latest high-profile Pennsylvania Democrat to endorse Biden, a state which could help determine the primary between him and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

With his campaign sputtering as recently as the end of February, Biden's prospects grew brighter following a primary win in South Carolina. He then drew even with Sanders in national polls following endorsements from several competitors in the more moderate "lane" of the party who dropped out: Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and, eventually, Michael Bloomberg.

"I admire Joe for his head and his heart," Dean said in her endorsement. "He has the experience, intellect, and passion to draw people together and move our country forward for the many — for us all. He has spent a lifetime serving others, honoring and believing in our Constitution, and working tirelessly, yet optimistically, to form a more perfect union."

The national level endorsements prefaced a big Super Tuesday win for Biden, putting him in a 626-550 delegate lead as of Thursday afternoon. But while Biden obviously has more support from the establishment wing of the Democratic Party, that's not necessarily an indicator of how Pennsylvania will vote. Sanders himself has drawn endorsements from two Pennsylvania state representatives, Sara Innamorato (D-21) and Elizabeth Fiedler (D-184).

An aggregate of polls compiled by RealClearPolitics show Biden and Sanders running nearly dead-even in the Keystone State. Biden is at 21 percent and Sanders is at 20 percent. However, these polls were taken before the other candidates dropped out.

Biden also received an endorsement from another local U.S. Congresswoman, Chester County's Chrissy Houlahan (D-6), back in January.

Regardless of who wins Pennsylvania, the Democratic winner will be facing an incumbent President Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania in 2016.