One City Council candidate has got Ed Rendell on his side.

Democratic City Council At-Large candidate Paul Steinke picked up the endorsement of the former Philadelphia Mayor and former Pennsylvania Governor Monday. Rendell announced his support for Steinke at an event outside the Reading Terminal Market, which Steinke managed for 13 years. He resigned as general manager to run for City Council.

In the announcement, Rendell stressed his prior experience working with Steinke while serving as Mayor, highlighting his “fresh ideas and passion” for the city.

“Everywhere Paul has been — from the Center City District, the University District, to the Reading Terminal Market — the signs of Paul’s hard work and successes are clear,” Rendell said. “Paul is exactly the kind of civic leader Philadelphia’s neighborhoods need on City Council. I am confident that once voters take a look at what Paul’s already accomplished, they will elect him to do the same for every neighborhood in Philadelphia.”

An endorsement from Rendell is significant, as he continues to play an active role in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia politics.

Steinke expressed how “honored and humbled” he was to receive Rendell’s support and noted that he took inspiration from Rendell’s service.

“His service as the Mayor of Philadelphia is proof that City Hall has the ability to move Philadelphia forward in a meaningful way and to improve the lives of residents,” Steinke said. “He is one of the many reasons I remain hopeful about Philadelphia’s enormous potential in the face of entrenched cynicism.”

Rendell’s endorsement follows Steinke’s receipt of two other endorsements over the weekend, that of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia NOW, the National Organization for Women’s local chapter.

Steinke is running to be one of the five Democratic At-Large candidates to advance from the May 19 primary. And for Steinke’s campaign advisor Joe Corrigan, the Rendell endorsement is simply “additional validation” that Steinke should secure a Council seat.