When Hillary Clinton won Pennsylvania on April 22nd, it heightened the importance of the May 6th primaries in North Carolina and Indiana, where there are a total of 187 pledged delegates at stake. Obama currently leads by 156 pledged delegates, and about 50,000 popular votes.
Obama is expected to have the upper hand in the North Carolina primary. In the RealClearPolitics latest polls average Obama leads Clinton by over 10% in North Carolina, where there are 115 delegates at stake. Popular North Carolina Governor Mike Easley just announced his support for Clinton, which may help bring her closer. Former Senator John Edwards, who dropped out of the race in January, and whose home state is North Carolina, has yet to make an endorsement. If Edwards endorses, it could be a big factor.
In Indiana, the polling average shows a Clinton with a small lead, though she leads by 8 and 9% in the last two polls. Clinton is endorsed by Evan Bayh, Indiana's popular Democratic senator, former Governor, and a possible Vice-Presidential pick if Clinton is nominated. There are 72 delegates at stake in Indiana. Clinton will likely need a win in Indiana to keep any hope alive for her Presidential run.
Also on the ballot for Democrats in those states are the contenders for the party's nomination for Governor. In Indiana, Architect Jim Schellinger is facing former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson for the right to challenge unpopular Republican Governor Mitch Daniels. Thompson is leading Schellinger by 12% in the latest SureveyUSA poll. In North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Berverly Perdue is facing State Treasurer Richard Moore for the nomination for the open seat Easley is leaving due to term limits. Perdue is leading Moore 43%-39%.
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