Mitchell endorses Obama

"I am proud to support Barack Obama for president," said U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-5) in announcing his backing of the current frontrunner in the presidential primary battle.

"Like the primary voters of my congressional district, which Obama carried, I am inspired by Barack's vision for America, his ability to unify our country and bring much-needed change to Washington."

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said in response to Mitchell's endorsement:

"I am proud to have Congressman Mitchell's support. He has continued to build on his lifelong service to Arizona's families by fighting for more benefits for our veterans and military families and working for expanded educational opportunities for all of Arizona's children. As a former teacher, he knows that each of our students deserves a world-class education, and when I am president we will make this a reality. I thank Congressman Mitchell for his support and will work with him in the months ahead to bring about real change for families in Arizona and across the country."

When asked whether Obama would be fundraising on Mitchell's behalf, Seth Scott, who is Mitchell's spokesman, said, "It's a little premature to be thinking about that... You'd have to ask Obama's campaign."

Scott did point out, however, that Mitchell and Obama have a pre-existing relationship.

Sen. Obama "campaigned for Congressman Mitchell in 2006," said Scott, who also mentioned that Mitchell and Obama concurrently introduced legislation to address the Walter Reed scandal last year.

When asked why Mitchell chose this moment to come out with his endorsement, Scott said:

"It's something he's been giving serious thought to for a while now... [Mitchell's] district was the only one in Arizona that went to Obama." Scott said that Mitchell didn't want to override the voters in the Democratic primaries, but that it has become apparent Obama will be the party's nominee for president.

"It's time to rally behind a nominee," said Scott.

Though the primary contest continues, for Mitchell, that nominee is Barack Obama.

Mitchell's endorsement, along with the support of eight other superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention in August, combined to push Obama ahead of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the superdelegate tally for the first time since the contest began.

According to an Associated Press report in the Arizona Republic, Obama now beats Clinton in the superdelegate count by 276 to 271.5 - a slim lead, but a significant indicator of where the momentum has shifted since Super Tuesday, when she led by 74 superdelegates.