Super Delegate News

by: Hopeful

Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:43:45 PM EDT

"Many of us believe that the best interests of the party now are to put this race behind us rather quickly. I'm one of those people," Andrews said. "The numbers are not there for Senator Clinton; they are there for Senator Obama."

Nonetheless, Andrews said during a meeting with the editorial board of The Star-Ledger that he is not ready to publicly switch his allegiance from Clinton to Obama.

Is there a distinction between being for both candidates (Andrews) or being neutral (Lautenberg)?

Uncommitted NJ Superdelegates: undecided or merely undeclared?

by: Scott Weingart

Fri May 09, 2008 at 09:51:46 PM EDT

Shortly after the PA primary, PoliticsPolitckerNJ suggested that New Jersey superdelegate and DNC member Philip Murphy was leaning toward supporting Hillary Clinton.

Earlier this week NJ-12 Congressman Rush Holt declared his neutrality in the race for the Democratic primary nomination:

Holt, a Hopewell Township Democrat, said he will be neutral until he feels revealing his choice would be in the Democratic Party's best interests.

Holt can't "reveal his choice" unless he's already made one.

Frank Lautenberg, the third superdelegate who hasn't announced his intentions, undoubtedly wants to avoid alienating supporters of either candidate ahead of his June 3 US Senate primary. So he'll probably keep his cards close to the vest for at least another few weeks, even if he already knows which ones he's going to play.

NJ Superdelegate - A Menendez Staffer - May Switch To Obama

by: Somewhere In The Swamps

Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:17:10 PM EDT

June Fisher, "a part-time special projects coordinator for Senator Bob Menendez" and a DNC superdelegate, has told The Forward that she is willing to change her support from Clinton to Obama.

But despite the efforts to ensure their support in recent weeks, several Jewish super-delegates who are currently committed told the Forward that they were open to changing their vote.

"I'm on the horns of an emotional dilemma," said June Fisher, 76, a member of the DNC from New Jersey who worked for several Democrats during a long career in politics and currently serves as a part-time special projects coordinator for Senator Bob Menendez. While Fisher originally endorsed Clinton after her initial choice, Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, dropped out of the race, she said she was open to revisiting the decision - despite two phone calls from former president Bill Clinton, one in the past two weeks.

Local detractors will likely claim that this is a sign that "Boss" Bob's strength isn't what it used to be (or at least rumored to be).  But I have a different take.  This could be a sign that Menendez's commitment to a Clinton nomination, long assumed by many to be weak at best, is waning.

Bad news for the Clinton campaign, regardless of the explanation.

NJ Superdelegate Switches to Obama

by: Juan Melli

Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 12:48:58 PM EST

Last week Christine "Roz" Samuels, who had previously endorsed Clinton, said she was undecided. She's now backing Obama. [campaign press release]:

Christine "Roz" Samuels, a superdelegate from Montclair, New Jersey, who was supporting Hillary Clinton announced she was now supporting Senator Barack Obama for President today, citing his ability to unite the country:

"I now support Barack Obama because he has brought about a new wave of hope and energy to this country, especially among our young people, who represent our future. People want to see change. Barack can help unite this country and help us embrace our diverse nation.

"I am also proud to support Senator Obama because he spoke clearly and forcefully against the war in Iraq from the start. I know he has the leadership to make sure we bring our young men and women home as quickly and carefully as possible, and ensure all Americans have access to affordable health care."

Samuels served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Newark Teachers' Union, Local 481 from 1995 until 2007. Samuels is a former Commissioner of the Essex County Board of Elections, a member of the Montclair Democratic Committee, and active in the Montclair and state-wide NAACP.