ATLANTA (AP) – Hillary Rodham Clinton is getting endorsements from two former Democratic governors in the early-voting state of South Carolina, including one who helped lead President Barack Obama’s first campaign.
The moves are part of Clinton’s effort to build her organization in South Carolina and Iowa, two early-voting states where Obama defeated her on his way to the nomination in 2008.
Jim Hodges, who served as South Carolina’s chief executive from 1999 to 2003, told The Associated Press that he will formally endorse Clinton on Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina, alongside her current campaign chairman, John Podesta.
“We were on the other side, but I developed a hearty respect for Hillary Clinton both as campaigner and a public servant,” said Hodges, who was national co-chairman for Obama’s 2008 campaign.
Separately, Clinton’s campaign announced an endorsement from Dick Riley, who served as secretary of education during President Bill Clinton’s administration after serving as governor from 1979 to 1987.