Edwards endorsed by Caucus4PrioritiesCaucus4Priorities, the grassroots campaign dedicated to shifting $60 million from Cold War weapons in the Pentagon to fund unmet social needs, endorsed former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards this morning.

The group, launched and organized by Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen, has organized 10,000 Iowa caucus-goers who pledged to caucus only for the presidential candidate who best championed sensible budget priorities. The 11-member Iowa staff will now begin gearing up for their get-out-the-vote effort, said Iowa Communications Director Heidi Wessels.

“John Edwards demonstrates not only a belief in new budget priorities for America, but also the greatest commitment to incorporate that message into his campaign,” said State Director Peggy Huppert. “He will emerge from Iowa in strong contention for the nomination.”

The endorsement provided Edwards another boost before heading into the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner this Saturday.