Catherine Cortez Masto
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto on Tuesday endorsed Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, helping the Illinois senator to become his party's nominee.
Masto, a superdelegate, waited until the final votes were cast in Montana and South Dakota before announcing her decision.
Tuesday marked the end to the 2008 primary season.
After a protracted primary contest, Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, beat out Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., for the nomination.
Obama will battle Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona in November's general election.
"It is now time for the Democratic Party to unite behind one candidate," Cortez-Masto said in her announcement. "Through a unified Party we will defeat John McCain in November."
The first-term attorney general said she looks forward to working with Obama "to create positive change for the citizens of Nevada and the United States."
Cortez-Masto was among four Nevada superdelegates who remained uncommitted in the primary race.
Other attorneys general who serve this year as superdelegates are Clinton-backer Andrew Cuomo of New York, and Terry Goddard of Arizona and Jay Nixon of Missouri, both of whom remained uncommitted.
From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo by e-mail at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.