Clinton gets nod from former Attorney General Eric Holder

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Former Attorney General Eric Holder is backing Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary for president and will campaign for her in an upcoming trip to South Carolina.

It’s a key endorsement as Clinton tries to maintain her advantage over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders among black voters.

Holder was the nation’s first black attorney general and remains a close ally of President Barack Obama.

Clinton’s campaign announced the endorsement in a statement to The Associated Press.

Holder says Clinton would continue Obama’s legacy. He also cites her “bold plans to address police brutality” and “fight for common sense … gun laws.”

Polls show that both issues are important to black voters.