Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received a key endorsement Thursday in garnering the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus political action committee (CBC PAC). 

The black vote is critical to a Clinton win, according to politicos, considering her race with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has become a close one. Clinton has been slipping when it comes to support from women and young voters, many of whom have gone to Sanders, and, as a result, she is working to maintain her perceived stronghold on the black vote.

"I pledge a new and comprehensive commitment to equity and opportunity for communities of color," Clinton said in a statement in response to her CBC PAC endorsement. "That means reforming our criminal justice system and rebuilding the bonds of trust between our communities and our law enforcement officials. But it also means making major new investments to create jobs, to make it easier to start and grow a small business, to end redlining in housing, and to build reliable public transit systems."

Clinton and Sanders will face off at a debate Thursday night in Milwaukee.