WASHINGTON — Civil rights leader John Lewis dropped his support for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid Wednesday in favor of Barack Obama.
Lewis, a Democratic congressman from Atlanta, is the most prominent black leader to defect from Clinton's campaign in the face of near-unanimous black support for Obama in recent voting. He also is a superdelegate who gets a vote at this summer's national convention in Denver.
In a written statement, Lewis said the Illinois senator's campaign "represents the beginning of a new movement in American political history" and that he wants "to be on the side of the people."
"After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty . . . to express the will of the people," the statement said.
Lewis' endorsement had been a coveted prize thanks to his standing as one of the most prominent civil rights leaders of the 1960s.
"John Lewis is an American hero and a giant of the civil rights movement, and I am deeply honored to have his support," Obama said in a statement.
Clinton was questioned about Lewis during an interview with Houston television station KTRK on Wednesday.
"I understand he's been under tremendous pressure," the New York senator said. "He's been my friend. He will always be my friend. At the end of the day it's not about who is supporting us, it's about what we're presenting, what our positions are, what our experiences and qualifications are, and I think that voters are going to decide."
Lewis' announcement came on the same day as another superdelegate, Sen. Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota, endorsed Obama, citing the presidential hopeful's record on trade.
Dorgan said Obama has supported key trade issues.
"He and I feel the same way," Dorgan said. "We both believe in trade and plenty of it. We just insist it that it be fair to our country -- the rules be fair."
The North American Free Trade Agreement is unpopular with blue-collar workers whose votes are considered crucial in the Democratic primary Tuesday in Ohio.
Lewis announced his Clinton endorsement in October and has appeared on the New York senator's behalf on television and at events across the country.
At one point in the campaign, Lewis accused Obama supporters of trying to fan the flames of race against Clinton.
