May 1 (Bloomberg) -- Joe Andrew, a superdelegate and former Democratic National Committee chairman, is switching his support to Barack Obama from Hillary Clinton, according to Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

Andrew, who earlier served as Indiana's Democratic Party chairman, scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference in his hometown of Indianapolis to make the announcement, according to a statement from the Obama campaign. The Indiana primary will be held May 6.

Andrew first endorsed New York Senator Clinton on Nov. 8, citing her ``strength and experience to compete and win across this country,'' according to the announcement posted at the time on Clinton's campaign Web site. Andrew served as Democratic chairman from 1999-2001, appointed to the job by former President Bill Clinton.

Illinois Senator Obama also picked up endorsements this week from Representatives Baron Hill of Indiana, Bruce Braley of Iowa and Lois Capps of California. Neither candidate can win enough pledged delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, leaving it to the superdelegates to decide the outcome.

``I am convinced that the primary process has devolved to the point that it's now bad for the Democratic Party,'' Andrew told the AP.

Andrew said his decision stemmed from Obama's recent opposition to a summer gas-tax holiday that Clinton supports and his handling of the fallout over comments by his former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, AP reported.

`Real Change'

Obama's campaign said in a statement that Andrew made the switch ``because he feels Obama is the only candidate who can bring real change'' to Washington

Since the March 4 round of primaries, Obama has won endorsements from 38 superdelegates and Clinton has picked up backing from 15. Still, Clinton leads Obama in superdelegate support, 269 to 245, according to lists provided by the campaigns and public announcements.

Obama holds a lead in pledged delegates won in primaries and caucuses, 1,488 to 1,334, according to an unofficial count by the AP. A candidate needs 2,025 to win the nomination.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nadine Elsibai in Washington at nelsibai@bloomberg.net; To contact the reporter on this story: Kristin Jensen in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 1823 or kjensen@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: May 1, 2008 09:40 EDT