San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzalez on Tuesday gave Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich a third-party boost, endorsing his run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Gonzalez, president of the Board of Supervisors and one of the most prominent elected member of the nation's Green Party, said Kucinich represents the best of the Democratic Party.

"He's unapologetic about his politics and the progressive nature of what he represents," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said the Democrats have fielded several candidates better than President George Bush and that Kucinich "stands out as the real deal."

Kucinich, appearing with Gonzalez at the Studio Z community space in SoMa, said Gonzalez's endorsement validates him as a "green Democrat."

He said Gonzalez's support will help him carry the Bay Area and he hopes to work with Gonzalez as the next president.

Gonzalez said his endorsement is implicitly a statement that the Green Party should not be fielding a candidate as long as there is a choice who represents its views.

"At some point, we have to be willing to cross party lines and endorse the best candidate in the field," Gonzalez said.

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