By THOMAS B. LANGHORNE | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel threw his support behind Sen. Barack Obama's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday.
Weinzapfel's written endorsement, issued hours before Obama was scheduled to take the stage at a rally at Roberts Stadium, called the Illinois senator a "special leader."
"I feel Sen. Obama brings integrity, a fresh perspective, good judgment, a wealth of experience and determined leadership to deal with the challenges our country faces," the Democratic mayor's statement said.
Weinzapfel said Obama understands the needs of working families and has the ability to inspire people and unite the nation "in a way that transcends the typical partisan politics of the past, and allows us to focus on our shared hopes and dreams for the future."
Mark Owen, chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party, said Weinzapfel's endorsement feverishly was sought by both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
"He's the most popular mayor in Indiana," Owen said. "He won (in 2007) by record margins and is considered the rising star in Indiana politics.
"I would add that Southern Indiana is very important for the outcome of (Indiana's May 6 Democratic presidential primary), and (Weinzapfel's) support for one candidate or another could make the difference in Southern Indiana."
Weinzapfel joins several other Southern Indiana Democratic politicians who have endorsed Obama.
That list includes Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco; Reps. Dennis Avery and Phil Hoy of Evansville; House Majority Leader Rep. Russ Stilwell, D-Boonville; Reps. Trent Van Haaften, D-Mount Vernon, and Dave Crooks, D-Washington; and State Sens. Bob Deig, D-Mount Vernon, and Lindel Hume, D-Princeton.
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