"He really does represent what the youth in this country want to see in terms of the direction of this country," said the 38-year-old Colon, one of the youngest state party chairs in the nation.

 Colon's decision capped months of heavy lobbying by backers of both Obama and his opponent, Hillary Clinton: Colon told the Journal  he's received hundreds of phone calls and "thousands" of e-mails since New Mexico's Feb. 5  Democratic presidential caucus on Feb. 5, which Clinton won by a sliver.

New Mexico has 12 superdelegates to this summer's Democratic presidential nominating convention in Denver. Six have sided with Clinton, while four are now backing Obama.

 Only two superdelegates - Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M.,  and Laurie Weahkee of Albuquerque - remain uncommitted.

 For more details on Colón's decision see the Sunday Journal.