WASHINGTON (AP) — Former District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams has endorsed Muriel Bowser to become the city’s next mayor.

Bowser is the District’s Democratic nominee after she defeated incumbent Vincent Gray in an April primary. Her challengers in the November general election include a fellow D.C. councilmember, David Catania, and former councilmember Carol Schwartz. Both are independents.

Williams, a Democrat, served as mayor from 1999-2007 and is credited with stabilizing the city following a takeover by Congress in the mid-1990s.

Bowser’s campaign announced Williams’ endorsement on Thursday. The former mayor says in a statement that Bowser “is the right person to continue the momentum of good government.” He also says she’ll continue the progress that’s been made in reforming the District’s public schools.

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