11/08/2005

CLINTON, Md. (AP)- Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson and several members of the county's legislative delegation are supporting former Congressman Kweisi Mfume's campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Mfume and Congressman Ben Cardin are the leading candidates for the party's nomination to succeed retiring Paul Sarbanes.

Cardin has already been endorsed by a number of elected officials, but the endorsements Monday from the black Prince George's officials were the first for Mfume, the only black candidate in the Democratic race. They could give a boost to his campaign because of the large Democratic vote in Prince George's County.

With Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele seemingly assured of the Republican Senate nomination, a primary victory by Mfume would put two black candidates on the ballot next November.