Presidential candidate Joe Biden received a crucial endorsement Wednesday from South Carolina Democrat James Clyburn just days ahead of the state primary.

Clyburn is the highest-ranking black member of Congress.

President Donald Trump won South Carolina by about 15% in 2016 against challenger Hillary Clinton.

About 60% of the electorate in the state are African American. Getting Clyburn's seal of approval could be crucial to how a candidate fares.

CGTN spoke with Clyburn ahead of Saturday's primary. He says how South Carolina votes is representative of the country as a whole. 

Clyburn says South Carolina is a diverse state where candidates can test their political messages on different groups.

Standing next to Biden at an event in Charleston, Clyburn said, "I can think of no one better suited, better prepared, I can think of no one with more integrity, no one more committed to the fundamental principles that make this country what it is than my good friend."