Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) on Wednesday became the first House Member to endorse former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) for president.

“I am ready to work for him and to help build the resources to make his campaign a success,” Lofgren said in a statement.

Lofgren, a five-term Member from San Jose, was scheduled to attend Wednesday night’s Children’s Defense Fund forum in Washington, D.C. — featuring all nine Democratic presidential candidates — as Dean’s guest. He has already been endorsed by Vermont Sens. Jim Jeffords (I) and Patrick Leahy (D).

With a financial base in Silicon Valley, Lofgren will provide fundraising fuel for Dean, who surprised many observers by raising $2.6 million in the first three months of 2003.

— Chris Cillizza