Former Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry will endorse Barack Obama in this year's White House race, according to Illinois senator's campaign spokesman.
Bill Burton said today that Mr Obama, who is seeking to become the first black US president, will appear with Mr Kerry in Charleston, South Carolina.
Mr Obama is hoping the South Carolina contest on January 26th will help him regain front runner status after a narrow loss to Senator Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire this week.
The endorsement by Mr Kerry, who lost the 2004 election to President George W. Bush, could boost Mr Obama's presidential bid by attracting more support from the Democratic establishment, which has largely supported Ms Clinton, the former first lady and senator from New York.
Mr Obama has been capitalising on his surprise win in the Iowa caucuses where Ms Clinton came in third behind former North Carolina Senator John Edwards.
She won the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday despite polling data that showed she would lose to Mr Obama.