President Barack Obama today endorsed California Rep. Pete Stark, who is facing a stiff challenge from a fellow Democrat in California’s June 5 all-party primary.

The 20-term Congressman and Dublin City Councilman Eric Swalwell (D) are likely to advance to the general election in the solidly Democratic 15th district. But Stark’s path to re-election has become less certain in recent weeks after some odd gaffes. Stark has apologized for falsely accusing a San Francisco Chronicle columnist of contributing to Swalwell’s campaign and for claiming that Swalwell had accepted bribes.

In  statement released by the Stark campaign, Obama called the Congressman “a tireless champion for all of the 15th’s working families.”

“We’ve worked hard these last three years to bring meaningful, positive change to our nation — fighting for good jobs, good schools and a health care system that works for all of our citizens,” the president said. “We have made great strides, but there is much more to do. That is why we need his dedicated efforts back in Congress to continue the fight with me. I need you to cast your vote for Congressman Stark in the June 5 Democratic Congressional Primary.”