Local officials endorse Obama

TAMPA -- Several elected officials from Tampa are endorsing Democrat Barack Obama this morning, on the eve of Florida's presidential preference primary.

State Rep. Betty Reed and Tampa City Council members Linda Saul-Sena, Gwen Miller and Mary Mulhern will be throwing their support to Obama at a rally in Lykes Gaslight Square Park this morning. The candidate won't be there to receive the accolades; all the Democratic presidential candidates pledged not to campaign in Florida after the state moved its primary to Jan. 29 in defiance of Democratic Party rules.

-- Justin George, Times staff writer