Johnson endorses Clinton

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson endorsed the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton on Saturday.

Speaking at the Greenbelt Hotel, Johnson told a crowd of approximately 100 supporters that Clinton "will fight for us on the issues," saying the senator had a strong track record on issues like national security and education.

The announcement came as a surprise to many familiar with Maryland politics because Johnson, in December, allowed the rival campaign of Sen. Barack Obama to use his name in a listing of statewide supporters.

"We are not going to engage in why we are not supporting Barack," Johnson said at the announcement. "We don't have to do that. We're not going to get into the negative at all. . . . We have two outstanding candidates running for president."

Both Clinton and Obama have a number of supporters who serve Prince George's County in the city council or the General Assembly

Clinton supporters include Sen. James Rosapepe and Delegates Doyle Niemann and Benjamin Barnes.

Obama supporters include Sen. Ulysses Currie and Delegates Jolene Ivey, Aisha Braveboy, and James Proctor, Jr. State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey and County Council Chairman David Harrington have also committed to Obama.

Last week, Harrington was selected by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee to fill the Senate seat vacated by the death of Gwendolyn Britt. The selection came with much aide from Johnson.

At Saturday's announcement, Johnson told the crowd, "On all of the substantive issues, (Clinton's) been there."