Slate of N.C. supporters of John Edwards move to the Obama camp

Although the former candidate himself, John Edwards, has not endorsed either of the two remaining Democratic challengers for the party’s presidential nomination, today 49 of his chief supporters signed onto the Barack Obama ticket in advance of the N.C. Primary vote on May 6. The group includes Edwards’ former national general chairman, Ed Turlington, as well as three N.C. congressmen: David Price (4th District), Mel Watt (12th District) and G.K. Butterfield (1st District). Released by the Obama campaign this afternoon, the full list names a number of current or former elected officials and other activists including Harvey Gantt, Edwards’ former national co-chair and a former Charlotte mayor; former Chief Justice Henry Frye of the N.C. Supreme Court; WNC philanthropist Adelaide Key; and Asheville City Council member Brownie Newman.

According to the campaign’s press release, social worker Louise Coggins — who has known John and Elizabeth Edwards for 30 years, summed up the support: “John Edwards has dedicated his life and career to fighting poverty in America.  Barack Obama demonstrated that same commitment when he turned down a high-paying job on Wall Street to work in Chicago communities decimated by steel mill closings. Senator Obama is now the only candidate in the race who doesn’t take money from PACs and federal lobbyists.  We can count on him to stand up to special interests in Washington, DC on behalf of working men and women in America.”

— Nelda Holder, associate editor

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3 thoughts on “Slate of N.C. supporters of John Edwards move to the Obama camp

  1. Dionysis

    So much for Hillary’s expected (but underwhelming) victory in Pennsylvania reversing Obama’s continuing gains.

  2. entopticon

    This is great news. I fully expect that it is only the start of a wave of support from former Edwards backers.

    Also in the news today, Obama was endorsed by 29 NC state legislators:
    http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1045930.html

    Yet more good news: Obama received endorsements from two more superdelegates today (so far)… Brad Henry of OK and Audra Ostergard of NE.

  3. Nelda Holder

    Here’s a P.S.: In the ongoing press releases concerning the North Carolina campaign, the Obama team has now reported that some 43 N.C. mayors were endorsing Obama and voting simultaneously at 1 p.m. yesterday (April 24) at Early Voting sites around the state. The list includes WNC mayors Terry Bellamy of Asheville, former Mayor Leni Sitnick of Asheville, and Loretta Clawson of Boone.

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