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President Obama endorsed Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in the state’s Democratic primary.

“Brian’s deep commitment to the people of Hawaii and his effective leadership are why I believe it is important to return him to the Senate,” Obama said in a statement posted on Schatz’s campaign website on Monday.

“Senator Schatz is protecting Hawaii’s values and fighting every day on behalf of middle-class families,” Obama said. “There is no question that Senator Schatz is the right choice to continue delivering for Hawaii.”

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Hawaii’s Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Schatz, who is Jewish and who was then the lieutenant governor, to the seat in December 2012, following the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), a long-term senator who was very close to the U.S. Jewish leadership.

Inouye said before he died that he favored Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) to replace him, and she maintains the backing of Inouye’s family in what is turning out to be closely fought primary race with Schatz.

Obama has endorsed only a handful of primary candidates; his endorsement is expected to carry weight in his native state.

Schatz chaired Obama’s presidential campaign in the state in 2008.

Also endorsing Schatz Monday was Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the Senate majority leader.

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