(Manchester, New Hampshire) -- Sixth District Representative Jim Clyburn is endorsing Senator John Kerry for the Democratic
presidential nomination.

Clyburn had backed Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt, who withdrew from the race after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses.

Clyburn's support has been sought by all the remaining Democratic hopefuls.

The decision by Clyburn to support Kerry comes a day after the Massachusetts Democrat won the New Hampshire primary.

Clyburn's backing is considered critical in South Carolina, where as many as half of the voters in the February Third primary
could be black.

North Carolina Senator John Edwards had recently hired a former top aide to Clyburn who had been working for Gephardt.

Edwards has said a victory in his native state is critical for his campaign.