Superdelegates Decides to Support Obama

From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

(CNN) – Moments after the polls closed, Barack Obama’s campaign announced the support of 26.5 superdelegates — 10 from earlier in the day, and 16.5 new — releasing statements of support from:

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Democratic Party Chair Don Bivens of Arizona; DNC Member (and daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) Christine Pelosi, DNC Member Rachel Binah, DNC Member John Perez, Rep. Sam Farr, Rep. Bob Filner, and Rep. Jerry McNerney of California; Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado; DNC Member Mitchell Ceasar and Rep. Ron Klein of Florida; Georgia State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond; President of the National Federation of Democratic Women Helen Knetzer, a Kansas superdelegate; DNC Member Patsy Arceneaux of Louisiana; DNC Member Sam Spencer of Maine; Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland; Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan; Missouri Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Yolanda Wheat; Nevada Democratic Party Chair Sam Lieberman and Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto; Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey; DNC Member Muriel Offerman and DNC Member David Parker of North Carolina; DNC Member Jay Parmley of Oklahoma; Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and Oregon Democratic Party Vice Chairman Frank Dixon; DNC Member Ian Murray of Pennsylvania; and Executive Director of the Virginia AFL-CIO Jim Leaman.

The votes of superdelegates from Michigan and Florida have been reduced by half because of penalties imposed by the national party.