SpringfieldNewsSun.com

WASHINGTON — In the Ohio Democratic superdelegate battle, "uncommitted" still holds the narrowest of leads, but probably not for long.

Last weekend, the Ohio Democratic Party's executive committee named the final two of the state's 21 superdelegates: Dave Regan, the Columbus-based president of SEIU District 1199, who immediately announced his loyalty to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.; and Cleveland attorney Craig Bashein.

The decision made Regan the sixth Ohio superdelegate — "unpledged delegate" in Democratic party parlance — to declare for Obama.

Bashein, among the leading fundraisers for former Sen. John Edwards' campaign earlier this year, has not announced who he is backing.

Other Obama supporters are Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin; Sonny Nardi, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters' Local 416; Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory; former Democratic National Committee Chairman David Wilhelm; and former Darke County Democratic Chairwoman Enid Goubeaux.

Regan said he was supporting Obama because of his personal fondness for him as a candidate. His union also backed Obama earlier this year.

"From my perspective, Sen. Obama is looking like a stronger and stronger candidate," he said, "And I think it's very likely he's going to win the nomination."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, still holds a one-superdelegate lead over Obama in Ohio. Her supporters include Reps. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Cleveland; Betty Sutton, D-Barberton; Tim Ryan, D-Niles; former AFL-CIO President Bill Burga; Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland; Patricia Moss, retired president of AFSCME Council 8; and Ron Malone, director of political action at the Ohio Association of Public School Employees.

Most, however, remain uncommitted. They include Bashein; Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Reps. Charlie Wilson, D-Bridgeport; Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo; Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland; Zack Space, D-Dover; and House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus.

The 21 superdelegate votes will supplement the 141 divvied out as a result of Ohio's March 4 primary, which Clinton won. She received 74 delegates as a result of that primary to 67 for Obama.

Obama on Monday, May 12, claimed the lead in overall superdelegates — 277 to 273 — for the first time in the race. According to CNN, he leads in overall delegates 1,869 to 1,697.

Ohio's Superdelegates

Uncommitted — 8

Clinton — 7

Obama — 6

Total — 21

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