Mongiardo says he's backing Obama

Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo is backing U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in Kentucky's May 20 Democratic primary, the Obama campaign announced Sunday.

"I believe Senator Obama can unite the Democratic Party and build a coalition of independents and Republicans to win in November," Mongiardo said in a statement. "A proven leader at working across the partisan aisle, he will bring relief to the hardworking families of Kentucky and a responsible end to the war in Iraq."

Mongiardo, a former Democratic state senator from Hazard, ran with Gov. Steve Beshear in the 2007 election. Beshear will serve as a superdelegate at the Democratic National Convention in August but hasn't announced which Democratic presidential candidate he will support.

Mongiardo is not a superdelegate.