Iowa Democratic leader endorses Biden

Biden picked up an Iowa endorsement Wednesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - Iowa's Assistant House Majority Leader John
Whitaker on Wednesday became the seventh state legislator to back Delaware Sen. Joe Biden's presidential bid.

But in the race to woo Hawkeye State lawmakers, Sen. Hillary Clinton is winning at 16. With seven endorsements, Biden is tied with Sen. John Edwards for the number two position. Obama currently has six backers, coming in a close third.

In a statement, Whitaker said, "Joe Biden is the only Democratic candidate for president who understands the impact of this war on the families of those soldiers serving our country."

Whitaker's son is a member of the Iowa National Guard. Biden's son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, is a member of the Delaware National Guard.

-CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch