By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — President Barack Obama endorsed Rep. Carolyn Maloney in the contentious East Side congressional race Tuesday, her campaign announced.
In a statement released by her campaign, the president praised Maloney's work on passing bills reforming health care and credit-card regulations.
"New Yorkers are extraordinarily lucky to have her fighting for them in Congress," Obama said.
"Carolyn has not only delivered again and again for New Yorkers, she's written groundbreaking legislation that is making a lasting difference in the lives of millions of Americans," he said.
The incumbent is battling for her seat against political upstart Reshma Saujani, a former Wall Street banker who said the district needs new leadership.
Obama's endorsement came the day after Saujani's campaign reported they had out-raised the incumbent, and emphasized the clout Maloney has with established Democrats, while rival Saujani courts a younger crowd via tools like Twitter.
As chair of the Joint Economic Committee, Maloney passed the Credit Card Holder's Bill of Rights and legislation regulating credit-card industry practices that critics said gouged consumers with high interest rates.
Her efforts to grant health care coverage to 9/11 first responders garnered her an endorsement from the AFL-CIO Monday.
The endorsements did not phase supporters of opponent Saujani.
"Reshma looks forward to working with President Obama as the next Congresswoman from the 14th district," said James Allen, spokesman for Saujani's campaign.
Saujani worked as a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign before working on Obama's campaign after the primary in 2008.
