WASHINGTON — Billionaire businesswoman Penny Pritzker, a major Democratic fundraiser and former commerce secretary under President Barack Obama, has endorsed Joe Biden for president.
The former vice president’s campaign announced her endorsement on Wednesday. Pritzker’s support could give Biden a considerable fundraising boost.
Pritzker is an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and played an instrumental role in Obama’s rise, helping him raise money for his successful Senate run as well as his 2008 presidential primary campaign against Hillary Clinton. She served as Obama’s commerce secretary from 2013 until he left office.
Her brother J.B. Pritzker is the governor of Illinois.
Penny Pritzker praised Biden’s years of Washington experience in a statement, which noted that she has known him for more than 20 years.