Gov. Bill Ritter, who had been one of Colorado’s four undecided superdelegates and among the handful of governors nationwide who had yet to pick a presidential candidate, endorsed presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama this evening.
“I’m proud to pledge my support to Sen. Barack Obama to become the next President of the United States of America,” Gov. Ritter said in a statement.
As host governor to August’s Democratic National Convention, Ritter had said he would remain neutral because he had to work with both campaigns.
“Sen. Obama offers a strong sense of hope and promise for our country’s future. His success at inspiring people from all walks of life, his commitment to the need for education and health-care reform, and his sense of independence and purpose make him appealing to Coloradans and other Westerners. He understands the promise of a New Energy Economy, of opportunity for all, of building a strong economy for our children. He is the best person to help Americans and Coloradans achieve their God-given potential, and I am proud to endorse him.”
U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, a Denver Democrat, and Democratic U.S. Reps. John Salazar of Manassa and Mark Udall of Eldorado Springs have yet to announce their endorsements. Udall’s office has said that he will make his preference known tomorrow.
Sens. Salazar and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, are pressuring their Capitol Hill colleagues who have not made a choice to quickly pick either Clinton or Obama. The two senators are talking with the 16 other senators who will cast a crucial vote for either Obama or Clinton.
“We want to see this over sooner rather than later,” said Jennifer Mullin, spokeswoman for Harkin.
Ken Salazar, Harkin and Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Thomas Carper of Delaware met Monday. But Mullin rejected reports that the effort was to corral support behind Obama. She said the group plans to meet again Wednesday and that the discussion will be, in part, to decide whether to act as a group to back one of the candidates.
In addition to Ritter, Colorado superdelegates who support Obama include U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Golden; former Gov. Roy Romer; state Democratic Party chair Pat Waak; and Democratic National Committee members Dan Slater of Cañon City, Debbie Marquez of Edwards and J.W. Postal of Denver.
Clinton’s superdelegate supporters in Colorado are U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver and DNC members Maria Handley of Lafayette, Ramona Martinez of Denver and Mannie Rodriguez of Denver.
Staff writer Anne C. Mulkern contributed to this report.
