Bloomberg has built extensive political ties to members of both parties on Capitol Hill after years of hefty political contributions to candidates and causes. In recent weeks those ties — and his surprisingly strong support in a number of national polls — seem to be bearing fruit for him on Capitol Hill.

Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Nita Lowey of New York and Pete Aguilar of California all endorsed Bloomberg Thursday, bringing his total number of congressional endorsements to 15, behind only Joe Biden, who has more than three times that amount.

All three have extensive political, and in some case personal ties, to the former New York mayor.