U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat who represents the east side of Lawrence in Congress, said he isn’t ready to endorse a candidate in the Democratic presidential race.

During a visit to Lawrence this week, Moore said that four or five contenders for the nomination had spoken to him about a possible endorsement.

He gave them all the same message.

“I told them, ‘When you’re in a district where you win by 2 1/2 to 3 percent, I’ve got to focus on my own race. Best of luck to you,'” he said. “They seem to understand.”

Moore was elected to the U.S. House in 1998 and was re-elected in 2000 and 2002. He will face re-election again this year

Candidates for the Democrat Party nomination have been attempting to collect endorsements prior to the Iowa caucus Monday.