The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the largest Hispanic business organization in the country, has officially endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's nomination and Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the GOP's ticket.

Endorsing Clinton

In a statement released on Thursday morning, USHCC President and CEO Javier Palomarez, the former secretary of state "has a proven record of delivering results for America's small business community and has proposed bold policy plans to help our Hispanic business community, along with the American people, thrive and prosper."

Palomarez added that the endorsement shows that Clinton has important views concerning the U.S. small business community -- views that are "simply far more qualifying than the empty rhetoric and lackluster record of Senator Bernie Sanders."

The USHCC, an advocacy organization promoting economic growth and entrepreneurs for approximately 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses, said Clinton has stood with the group and Latino community for decades, strengthened diplomatic and commercial ties for small business owners and helped raise education standards during her tenure as First Lady of Arkansas.

Endorsing Kasich

In the Republican field, the USHCC formally endorsed Kasich, recognizing the Ohio governor as someone who has consistently fought for policies encouraging economic growth. The USHCC acknowledged Kasich's efforts as a policymaker to balance the federal budget in 1997, closing Ohio's $8 billion budget shortfall and creating over 425,000 jobs in the private sector.

"Governor Kasich earns our endorsement because, unlike his primary opponents, he has a proven ability to unite people across party lines, and has a track record of enacting bold, comprehensive policies to solve the problems that matter to Hispanic business owners, and all Americans," said Palomarez.

In regards to both Clinton and Kasich endorsements, the USHCC made a swipe at Republican front-runner Donald Trump, a businessman based from New York City. Palomarez recognized there is a lot at stake in the upcoming presidential election and Americans cannot let the U.S. divide further.

"There is so much at stake in this election and our country cannot afford to have those who would divide our nation and prey on the fears of the American people as our President," said Palomarez. "By way of example, Donald Trump's hateful rhetoric toward women, immigrants, the disabled, Muslims, and the Hispanic community not only divides our country, but sends a clear message that Hispanic voters won't forget: he does not stand with our community."

Based on RealClearPolitics projections, Clinton leads Sanders in the delegate count to become the Democrats' presidential candidate. Taking into account pledged delegates, Clinton has 1,645 delegates to Sanders' 1,318 delegates. A Democratic candidate requires 2,382 delegates to secure the party's nomination.

For the GOP, the numbers are different. Trump leads with 987 delegates, ahead of Ted Cruz's 562 delegates and Kasich's 153. In fact, Kasich trails Marco Rubio, who despite suspending his presidential campaign in March has won 171 delegates. A Republican presidential candidate requires 1,237 delegates to clinch the party's nomination.

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