TORONTO - A veteran Ontario New Democrat is endorsing Andrea Horwath's bid for the party's top job.

Peter Kormos says his Hamilton colleague has his support to replace departing leader Howard Hampton.

He says Horwath is the leader the party needs to take the NDP into the next decade.

Horwath is the only woman among the four candidates who are running to replace Hampton.

Peter Tabuns, Michael Prue and Gilles Bisson have also thrown their hats into the ring.

The party will select its new leader in Hamilton on March 6.