Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has procured his first congressional endorsement just in time for the Democratic debate next week, according to The New York Times.

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) has publicly endorsed the Sanders campaign. Grijalva is a member of the Hispanic Caucus, so his endorsement could help Sanders with voters in that demographic. Grijalva will join Sanders on the campaign trail next week. They'll be together at a rally in Las Vegas on Oct. 13.

"The positions he has taken and the values he holds are ones I share," Grijalva said of Sanders. Grijalva will officially announced his endorsement from Tucson on Friday, according to AZ Central. Sanders has gained steadily in the polls, while Hillary Clinton - his biggest contender in the Democratic primary race - has declined in polls.

Grijalva is a seven-term congressman, according to IBTimes, and the co-chairman of the Progressive Caucus.

This is the first congressman or woman to publicly endorse Sanders, though many have declared their support for Clinton. Others are still hoping that Vice President Joe Biden will stage a run for the presidency. Biden has kept his options open by not stating definitively whether he will or will not run.