U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan will vote for Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention this summer, the superdelegate announced on Saturday.
"The Democratic Party is fortunate to have two qualified presidential candidates, both of whom offer substantive solutions to the problems facing Americans," Nolan said in a statement. "I've considered a number of factors in making this decision, including the will of Minnesota caucus attendees, specifically those in the 8th Congressional District. Bernie's message and his authenticity appeals to voters here, and it appeals to me. I'll be proud to cast my vote for him in Philadelphia this summer."
Two other Minnesota superdelegates, Keith Ellison and Collin Peterson, also have pledged support to Sanders, making Minnesota the only state with more than one Democratic congressman supporting Sanders,
Politico reported.
Still, Sanders, with a list of list of 38 superdelegates, trails well behind Democratic front-runner Hillary Cilnton, who has 469 superdelegates listed in her camp, Politico noted.
Superdelegates are not bound by the results of primary elections or caucuses.
The endorsement became an issue in Nolan's campaign against Republican opponent, Stewart Mills III, the
Brainerd Dispatch reported.
"Professional politician Rick Nolan managed to find three sides of a one-sided question," Mills campaign manager Charlie Szold said in a statement. "First he was for Clinton, then he probably wasn't even attending the convention, and now he's enthusiastically supporting socialist Bernie Sanders. Rick Nolan's masterclass in cynicism is a good reminder that 40 years as a professional politician is probably too long and that voters can only trust him as far as his next political calculation."
Sanders supporters took to Twitter to express their gratitude.