Campaign

Gillibrand endorses Biden for president

by Marty Johnson - 03/19/20 7:14 PM ET

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Thursday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden, becoming the latest former Democratic presidential candidate to throw their support behind the Democratic frontrunner.

“He’s the absolute best candidate to defeat President Trump, and I think he is the person who has gained the trust and the respect of the American people in a way that no one else has,” Gillibrand told The Washington Post.

“The truth is he’s run the strongest campaign.”

After sweeping Tuesday’s slate of primaries, Biden now has more than a 200-delegate lead on his sole competitor, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) ended her long-shot campaign Thursday and then endorsed Biden as well.

Gillibrand also told the Post that Biden has the skills to lead the country through the current coronavirus pandemic.

“His ability to empathize and absorb the fears of the country right now is essential,” the New York senator told the newspaper.

“I think we need a healer. . . . I do truly believe he is the man for this moment that we’re in here,” she added.