Clinton picks up superdelegate in Arkansas

By The Associated Press

Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has picked up another superdelegate in Arkansas who said he'll support the state's former first lady.

Land Commissioner Mark Wilcox, who was selected last month as the Arkansas Democratic Party's last remaining superdelegate to the national convention, said Monday he's supporting the New York senator.

"I voted for her in the (primary) election and support her and that's how at this time I feel I'm going to vote. ... At this time, I'm supporting her," Wilcox told The Associated Press.

Wilcox, who is serving his second term as land commissioner, said the only way he would probably change his mind is if Clinton drops out of the race before the convention this summer.

Wilcox's support gives Clinton 11 of the state's 12 superdelegates - members of Congress and other party leaders who are not selected in primaries and caucuses. The superdelegates supporting Clinton include Gov. Mike Beebe, who endorsed Clinton last year, and Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln.

The state's three Democratic congressmen - Marion Berry, Mike Ross and Vic Snyder - are also superdelegates backing Clinton. Lottie Shackelford, a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, is the only superdelegate from Arkansas not committed to any candidate.

Shackelford, who has said she will not commit to a candidate before the convention, did not immediately return a call Monday afternoon.

Superdelegates are free to change their minds before the convention. Wilcox said he's been reluctant to disclose who he is supporting because he doesn't know what could change before the party's convention, which will be held Aug. 25-28.

"Who knows what the convention is going to be? We all could support somebody else if it changes, like if she pulls out, we'll have to support somebody else," Wilcox said, who added that he could not think of a scenario where he'd change his mind short of Clinton exiting the race.

Clinton, who served as the state's first lady for 12 years, overwhelmingly defeated Democratic rival Barack Obama in the Arkansas presidential primary in February. Clinton won 70 percent of the state's vote to Obama's 26 percent, according to the certified results.

For more information see Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.