Price, Watt to endorse Obama

U.S. Reps. David Price and Mel Watt will endorse Barack Obama.

The two Democratic superdelegates are slated to announce that they are backing Obama in a conference call at 1:15 this afternoon, Dome has learned.

In recent weeks, both had said they would make an endorsement before the state's May 6 primary, but they had kept their preference private.

The two are influential in state politics. Price, often called the dean of the state delegation, is a political science professor who helped design the superdelegate system while working for a national commission led by former Gov. Jim Hunt.

Watt, who served as campaign manager for Harvey Gantt's race against U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, had previously expressed doubt that America is ready for a black president. He is the former head of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The announcement brings Obama's count of North Carolina superdelegates to six, including U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, former Democratic Party director Everett Ward, party vice chair Dannie Montgomery and lobbyist Joyce Brayboy, who previously worked for Watt.

Hillary Clinton has just one, Charlotte Councilwoman Susan Burgess.

That leaves 14 uncommitted superdelegates in North Carolina, including two who will be named at the state convention and party chairman Jerry Meek, who has said he will remain neutral.

Previously: Watt, Price are among five endorsements that matter.