CONCORD, N.H. — Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Wednesday accepted the endorsement of the New Hampshire Service Employees International Union amid questions about the validity of the vote.
According to those involved, the union’s board voted Oct. 23 to endorse Sen. Barack Obama. Union president Gary Smith promptly called Obama with the news.
A person familiar with the conversation said it was clear to Obama that the endorsement was a done deal.
But the situation changed Tuesday night. The board, including some new members elected during the weekend, deadlocked 8-8 on a motion to endorse Edwards. Smith broke the tie in Edwards’ favor.
That didn’t sit well with Stephen Foster, a board member until Saturday.
“The vote was taken and the chair announced that we had a presidential endorsement for Sen. Obama. The board then authorized him to call Sen. Obama and convey the news,” Foster said. “That should serve as evidence that the sense and intent of the board was clearly in play without question at that time.”
The Associated Press
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