John Lewis endorses Obama

After weeks of speculation that the Atlanta Democrat would switch camps, he does so.

Published February 27, 2008 7:08PM (EST)

Rep. John Lewis, an Atlanta Democrat and friend of Hillary Clinton's, said he's endorsing Barack Obama for president today, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The announcement ended weeks of speculation after the New York Times published a story saying that Lewis was switching his support from Clinton. Lewis' office later called that story inaccurate.

Making the endorsement Wednesday, Lewis, an elder in the civil rights movement and a Democratic superdelegate, cited overwhelming support for Obama in his district as a reason for his change of heart. "Something's happening in America, something some of us did not see coming," Lewis said. "Barack Obama has tapped into something that is extraordinary."

Obama also picked up the endorsement of North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan Wednesday, making him the 10th senator to officially endorse the candidate, according to the Washington Post. Clinton has 13 Senate colleagues who have endorsed her candidacy for president.


By Katharine Mieszkowski

Katharine Mieszkowski is a senior writer for Salon.

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2008 Elections Barack Obama Hillary Rodham Clinton John Lewis D-ga.