Jennifer DeChant

Maine Democratic National Committeewoman Jennifer DeChant announced her support for Sen. Barack Obama for President today.

Obama currently has 2,088 of the 2,118 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination over Sen. Hillary Clinton, according to CNN. DeChant’s endorsement brings him one step closer.

Today Montana and South Dakota are voting, rounding out the primary contests. There are 31 delegates at stake.

Her statement:

"As evidenced by the energy Maine Democrats showed in support of Senator arack Obama at the state convention, I am pleased to add my voice as upport to his candidacy.

"I remain a long-time admirer of Senator Hilary Clinton because of her enacity, what she has done for the future of women in politics and the say she has respectfully engaged the core of our Democratic Party. This campaign has been better for her participation and the Democratic Party s stronger because of it.

"Now is the time to unify the party around Senator Obama and focus attention on November and on why America can ill-afford another four years of a George Bush-like administration."

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud endorsed John Edwards early in the presidential campaign.

When Edwards dropped out, Michaud entered vast realm of “uncommitted superdelegates”, the subject of virtually every pundit debate and a buzz word in political circles.

Following Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama, Michaud has decided to remain uncommitted.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen endorsed Obama on Monday, helping to put him in the lead with superdelegates.

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, said Sunday that his add-on to the superdelegate lineup will be a Barack Obama supporter.

He said he is doing this to make sure Maine’s delegate count reflects the popular vote in the state, where Obama got 60 percent of the vote.

Some speculate the superdelegates could decide the Democratic contest.

National committeeman Sam Spencer doesn’t want to be the deciding factor.

There’s been a change in Maine’s super delegate lineup.

Jennifer DeChant of Bath has replaced Rita Moran of Winthrop as one of the eight sent to the national convention, the Democratic state committee voted Sunday. She has not yet announced who she is supporting.

She also replaced Moran as DNC chairwoman.

DeChant was originally denied a super delegate spot in January because she missed three committee meetings, two of which she said were for difficult pregnancy. However, members of the state committee requested another vote stating that they did not know the January vote had taken place.

Click here for the Times-Record’s coverage of the issue, and here for the Kennebec Journal’s coverage.