Sen. Tom Carper endorses Hillary Clinton for president

Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware has endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Carper said in a statement that he called Clinton on Monday to wish her a happy birthday and give her his endorsement. Clinton turned 68 on Monday.

Carper says he did not endorse Clinton earlier “out of deference and respect for another dear friend, Joe Biden.” The vice president and former Delaware senator announced last week that he will not seek the presidency. With Biden out of the race, Carper says Clinton has his “full and enthusiastic support.”

Carper was elected to the Senate alongside Clinton in 2000. He says she was “a terrific first lady, an exceptional senator and colleague, and a tireless secretary of state.”

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