President Obama endorses Dem. Cicilline in Rhode Island

President Obama has endorsed Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline in his bid to keep his seat against Republican Brendan Doherty.

"Congressman Cicilline has stood at my side as we have worked to help middle class families get ahead and put our economy back on the right track," Obama said in a statement.

"Even in his first term, David has already established himself as a strong advocate for Rhode Island by working to reinvigorate American manufacturing, cut taxes for middle class families, and support investments in local infrastructure projects. I need Rhode Islanders to send David Cicilline back to Washington so he can continue fighting for them," he added.

Obama campaigned for Cicilline in 2010, when the Democrat won with just 51 percent of the vote. He faces a tough challenge from Doherty, but has rebounded in recent polls and outraised his opponent by about $50,000 in the third quarter. He faces a nearly two-to-one cash-on-hand deficit compared to Doherty, however.

This marks the president's second general election endorsement. He endorsed Democrat Elizabeth Warren for Senate in Massachusetts earlier on Tuesday; more could be coming as other Democrats in tight races look for a boost in the final weeks of the cycle.

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