Feb. 2, 2004 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull on Monday endorsed U.S. Sen. John Kerry to be the Democratic Party's standard bearer in the November presidential election.
A release issued by the territory's Democratic Party cited Turnbull as saying he is convinced that the three-term Massachusetts senator has the domestic and international experience as well as "the best chance of leading the Democratic Party to regain control of the White House in 2005."
"It is clear that Sen. Kerry's candidacy is gaining broad national support as a result of his resounding victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary," Turnbull said. "The Democratic Party cannot afford to have divisive primaries continue at a time when the party should be preparing the likely nominee and conserving resources to wage the fall campaign."
On the eve of seven more states — Arizona, Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina — holding primaries or caucuses on Tuesday, the governor pledged to cast his vote for Kerry at the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July.
Although V.I. residents cannot vote in federal elections, the Democratic and Republican Parties of the territory do have representation and voice at their national conventions. "By virtue of being governor," the release said, Turnbull "is a super-delegate with one vote" at the Democratic convention.
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