Connecticut Congressmen John Larson and Chris Murphy Endorse Obama

[Hope And Change]

HARTFORD, Conn. --Connecticut Congressmen John Larson and Chris Murphy threw their support to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday ahead of his planned visit to the state next week.

Larson, whose 1st District includes Hartford and the surrounding towns, is vice chairman of the House Democratic caucus. Murphy, whose 5th District covers the western part of the state, is a freshman House member.

The two plan to formally announce their endorsements at a Saturday rally. Obama's campaign said he will visit the state Monday, the day before Connecticut and 21 other states hold their Super Tuesday primaries.

Challenger Hillary Clinton, who is backed by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Comptroller Nancy Wyman, held a double-digit lead in the state in a University of Connecticut poll last week, but polls now show Connecticut to be a battleground.

Clinton campaigned in Hartford on Monday, and Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, attended a round-table forum Wednesday in Stamford before attending an evening fundraiser.

Larson's endorsement was first reported by the Journal Inquirer of Manchester on its Web site.

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