superdelegate

U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, an undeclared superdelegate, appears likely to endorse in the Democratic presidential race Tuesday evening.

“He will be releasing a statement on the presidential race later tonight,” says a spokeswoman.

Filner is an eight term Democrat from San Diego.

Two other state superdelegates, meanwhile, indicated they were not prepared to endorse today.

“She has said he will be waiting for all the primaries to be over,” said a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Susan Davis.

Bob Mulholland, a campaign adviser to the California Democratic Party, was more direct when asked if he would making a decision Tuesday.

“No,” he said.

California Democratic National Committee member John Perez has endorsed Barack Obama. Perez is a superdelegate from Los Angeles.

With Perez’s endorsement, 21 undeclared Caifornia superdelegates remain.

U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, an undecided superdelegate, is expected to endorse in the Democratic presidential race this evening, a person familiar with McNerney’s plans tells PolitickerCA.com Tuesday afternoon.

McNerney, a first term congressman from the Stockton area, is one of 22 undecided California superdelegates.

U.S. Rep. Dennis CardozaDemocratic presidential candidate Barack Obama picked up a California superdelegate Friday when U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Atwater) switched his endorsement from U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) to Obama (D-Ill.).

“This is the most important election of my lifetime. While I continue to greatly respect and admire Senator Clinton and feel she has made history with her campaign, I believe that Senator Obama will inevitably be our party’s nominee for President. He has proven himself to be a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and inspirational leader and will take America in a new direction, which we desperately need,” Cardoza said in a statement.

Cardoza, whose 18th Congressional District spans the Merced area, endorsed Clinton in December and was a co-chairman of Clinton’s National Hispanic Leadership Council.

U.S. Rep. Lois CappsDemocratic U.S. Rep. Lois Capps, a superdelegate, has lent her endorsement to Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential race.

“This wasn’t an easy decision for me. Democrats were blessed this year with many talented and capable candidates, and I believe both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama would make fine presidents. But Sen. Obama’s proven judgment, his hopeful vision for America, and his unmatched ability to motivate millions of Americans eager for change made the choice for me,” said Capps in a release announcing the endorsement.

Jackie Speier’s easy victory in tonight’s special election to fill Tom Lantos’ seat in Congress means that Hillary Clinton picks up another superdelegate. Speier, a Clinton supporter, will now go to the Democratic National Convention in Denver as a Member of Congress, which accords her superdelegate status.

Embattled State Sen. Carole Migden, facing a serious challenge in the June 3 Democratic primary in her bid for re-election, has a trump card to play: her vote as a so-far uncommitted superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention.   It will be interesting to see how Migden leverages that potential power for her own campaign – especially since she has no assurances that the fight for the presidential nomination will actually extend into the summer.  Will Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama take sides in Migden’s Senate primary against Assemblyman Mark Leno?  Will Clinton and Obama backers from across the nation start helping Migden raise money?  Will local Clinton and Obama supporters from District 3 realize that while all politics is local, their actions -- for Leno or against Migden – could influence her vote when it comes time to choose a presidential nominee?