Ex-Clinton administration member backs Obama

Former White House hopeful Bill Richardson, a one-time member of the Clinton administration, said Friday he was endorsing Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"After careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for president," he said in a statement.

Richardson's endorsement has been fiercely sought by both Obama and his rival Sen. Hillary Clinton in part because as a Hispanic he is seen as influential within the Latino community, which could be a key voting bloc in the November presidential election.

Richardson was energy secretary under President Bill Clinton and was also the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

He dropped out of the Democratic race in January and is expected to appear with Obama on Friday at a campaign event in Portland, Oregon.

The governor's endorsement comes as Obama leads among delegates selected at primaries and caucuses but with national public opinion polling showing Clinton pulling ahead of him amid controversy over statements by his former pastor.