Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio couldn’t stay away from the political arena for long. Despite his dismal approval rating when he left office, de Blasio still decided to launch a run for Congress and now is receiving backing from a former Brooklyn political mainstay, and a city lawmaker who represents parts of the borough and a union marking his first official endorsements in the race.

The New York Post reports:

Marty Markowitz, who served as Brooklyn borough president from 2002 to 2013, is supporting de Blasio as he competes in the crowded contest for an open Brooklyn-Manhattan House seat.

“On day one, Bill will be a strong voice for us in Congress. He knows our issues and has served every block of this district as a School Board Member, Councilmember, Public Advocate and Mayor,” Markowitz said in a prepared statement.

Markowitz, who also was a state senator representing parts of Brooklyn in Albany, gushed about the fellow Democrat “delivering” his signature accomplishment while in City Hall — universal Pre-K.

“In Washington, he will deliver for this district and be a powerful voice for all New Yorkers,” said Markowitz, 77. “He has my vote and my endorsement.”

Despite de Blasio pulling in some early endorsements, he’s likely to face a steep uphill climb if he’s going to win in November.