Former Gov. Parris N. Glendening endorsed New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for president yesterday, citing the fellow Democrat's commitment to environmental protection and fighting global climate change.

"As secretary of energy, he was a leader on mass transit and smart growth issues," Glendening said in a statement released by the Richardson campaign. "As governor of New Mexico, he has turned around an economy while also protecting the environment."

A former two-term Democratic governor, Glendening is best known as a champion of anti-sprawl development policies. Richardson said he welcomed the endorsement because Glendening is "a leader on energy and environmental issues."