Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, used a speech to Iowa Democrats on Saturday night to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president, another indication of how quickly the party is coalescing behind the former secretary of state.
Speaking in the state that lifted President Barack Obama's campaign and dashed Mrs. Clinton's hopes in the 2008 caucuses, Mr. Schumer said the time was right that year for Mr. Obama.
"2016 is Hillary's time," Mr. Schumer declared at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner. "And our nation will be all the better for it."
While it is not surprising that her former Senate colleague would back Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Schumer's remarks one year after the 2012 presidential election underscore how much Democratic Party elders want her to enter the race.
With Mr. Obama's popularity waning, many party officials also want to try to clear the field for the former first lady. Earlier this week, it was revealed that every Democratic woman in the Senate signed a letter supporting the former New York senator. Mrs. Clinton has not yet indicated her 2016 plans.
An aide to Mr. Schumer said he was not offering his backing in such a high-profile venue at Mrs. Clinton's request.
"Run, Hillary, run. If you run, you'll win and we'll all win," he said.
"With a strong platform and with Hillary leading the charge, we will vanquish the Ted Cruz, Tea Party Republicans in 2016," he said.
