New Orleans Mayor Endorses Obama

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) received the support of an important African-American politician and Democratic superdelegate on Tuesday when New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin endorsed the Illinois senator for president.

Despite an impending loss in West Virginia's primary, the Obama campaign continued to add to its superdelegate count with Nagin's endorsement.

The first-term mayor said in a statement sent to supporters that Obama had "worked to help address the needs of our Gulf Coast communities," after Hurricane Katrina. Nagin also said the nation "desperately need[ed] the leadership of someone committed to changing the system in Washington that can hold us back from moving forward."

"As the Gulf Coast continues to rebuild, other cities have faced tragic disasters across this country," Nagin also said. "It is critical that this country's infrastructure and emergency response systems are evaluated and rebuilt to sustain our cities and protect our families. What happened in Louisiana should never happen again."

Obama said he shared Nagin's "commitment to renewing the great city of New Orleans," according to the same news release.

"I look forward to working with him and all New Orleanians to prepare for the storms that may come while advancing opportunity and prosperity for the people of this great American city," the Illinois senator added.