Tom Vilsack endorses Hillary Clinton's presidential bid

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa, is endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

"Hillary Clinton is not new to the fight for middle class families," Vilsack wrote in an editorial in The Cedar Rapids Gazette. "Throughout her public life she has consistently fought to expand and strengthen the middle class. I have no doubt she will continue that fight as president."

In the editorial, Vilsack touts Clinton's policies that focus on making education more accessible and expanding access to affordable health care, as well as her support for the Renewable Fuel Standard and bio-based manufacturing.

"Hillary Clinton has the right policies to strengthen and expand the middle class, is battle tested, and has the experience and relationships to lead and govern well," Vilsack wrote. "For all of those reasons, as well as our friendship, I will caucus for Hillary Clinton on February 1, 2016."

Vilsack will join Clinton for several Iowa campaign stops Wednesday where she is expected to outline policy ideas to help strengthen agricultural and rural communities.

Pfannenstiel reports for The Des Moines Register.