The Montana Democratic Party was expected to release a statement Monday, said spokesman Kevin O’Brien.
Even though the Illinois senator best represented her Democratic ideals, Campbell said, she told an Obama staffer on Sunday she needed to talk with voters, including tribal leaders, before making a public endorsement. The aide tried to dissuade her, Campbell said. Later in the day, the staffer told Campbell a national press reporter had already moved forward with the story.
On Monday, Campbell said not only was she withholding an Obama endorsement, but that Montana Democratic Party rules prohibit her from endorsing a candidate until after the state’s June 3 primary. Montana Democratic Party Rule 10 specifies that the party’s vice chair - as well as the chair, executive director and paid staff - “shall maintain neutrality during primary elections for any office sought by more than one Democratic candidate.”
Campbell is one of eight superdelegates in Montana. Overall, 795 superdelegates around the country typically can endorse a presidential candidate anytime throughout the campaign process. While most delegates are bound to support voters’ majority candidate, superdelegates can vote the way they please.
Campbell, who lives in Poplar, is in a unique position because she holds an elected state position.
Sens. Obama and Hillary Clinton both pressed her for an endorsement after each presidential candidate stumped for the public vote in Montana during a weekend of dinners, fundraisers and rallies. Both candidates gave speeches at the Montana Democratic Party’s annual Mansfield-Metcalf dinner in Butte on Saturday.
On Sunday, Clinton called Campbell on her cell phone while she was driving back to her home on the Fort Peck Reservation. “She said she knew I had a tough decision to make,” Campbell said. The call included discussion of Campbell’s superdelegate vote.
Earlier that morning, Campbell ate breakfast with three Obama staff members at an IHOP restaurant in Butte. She initially agreed to endorse Obama before deciding she needed more time.
Reporter Jodi Rave can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at jodi.rave@lee.net.
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