Arizona's superdelegates: Still a split decision

Arizona's superdelegates can't make up their minds - yet - even as the rest of the country begins to fall in line behind one of the Democratic presidential contenders.

The state's superdelegates remain evenly split between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama as the protracted primary battle slogs on.

Meanwhile, Howard Dean quietly swept into the Valley Monday night to rally party activists in private meetings and attend a high-end fundraiser, where a ticket to the dinner runs as high as $28,000.

Each candidate has the support of four the state's 11 super delegates, who are free to cast their votes for whomever they choose at the Democratic Convention. Three are still on the fence, they say.

The former first lady had been favored by this special group. But on Saturday, Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., tossed his support behind Obama.

Mitchell's decision coincided with reports that Clinton's lead among the roughly 800 superdelegates across the country had also evaporated.

His decision was made easier by the fact that his congressional district supported Obama in Arizona's Feb. 9 presidential preference election.

Despite the Illinois senator's momentum, it appears Arizona's superdelegates who pledged to support Clinton are going to stick with her until the bitter end.

"I feel like I made a pledge and I don't back down from that lightly," said Janice Brunson, a Paradise Valley resident and retired journalist who is an Arizona national committee member. Brunson said Clinton's experience convinced her to back the former first lady early on.

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens remain undecided as the last primaries loom early next month.

Giffords, a freshman whose district includes young college-age voters who have tended to back Obama as well as older voters who lean toward Clinton, may end up in a tough re-election campaign herself this year. State Senate President Tim Bee, R-Tucson, has already begun an aggressive campaign against her.

On Monday, Giffords wasn't saying which presidential contender she would ultimately support.

"She remains uncommitted for the foreseeable future," said her spokesman, C.J. Karmargin. "How long is that? I don't know."

Goddard, who is widely expected to make another run at the governor's office, refused to comment on why he is remaining undecided.

But Bivens, a Phoenix attorney, expected the uncommitted superdelegates to make up their minds quickly, as Obama appears ready to lock up the nomination.

He added that most party chairs throughout the country tend to stay out of backing candidates because they want to appear impartial.

Bivens said Dean's visit is part of a 50-state strategy committed to keeping Arizona and other states relevant as the election heats up.

Dean and the party have repeatedly said Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican Party nominee, is vulnerable in his home state. Party officials point out that McCain didn't even get 50 percent of the vote during the GOP primaries earlier this year.

However, local Republicans don't see it that way.

"Senator McCain has been running successful campaigns in the state since 1982," said Doug Cole, who worked on McCain's presidential run in 2000.

Ed Pastor

Political background: U.S. representative from the 4th Congressional District of Arizona.

How he's voting: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Raul M. Grijalva

Political background: U.S. representative from the 7th Congressional District of Arizona.

How he's voting: Sen. Barack Obama.

Terry Goddard

Political background: Arizona attorney general.

How he's voting: Undecided.

Janet Napolitano

Political background: Governor of Arizona, originally elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.

How she's voting: Obama.

Gabrielle Giffords

Political background: U.S. representative for the 8th Congressional District of Arizona.

How she's voting: Undecided.

Harry Mitchell

Political background: U.S. representative for the 5th Congressional District of Arizona.

How he's voting: Obama.

Others voting for Clinton

• State Democratic Committee member Janice Brunson

• State Democratic Committee member Joe Rios

• State Democratic Committee member Carolyn Warner

Others voting for Obama

• Committee member Charlene Fernandez

Others undecided

• Arizona Democratic Party Chair Don Bivens