Illinois Sen. Barack Obama picked up another superdelegate Saturday at the Arizona Democratic Party's state convention as the neck-in-neck race for the Democratic nomination continues with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Charlene Fernandez, chairwoman of the Yuma Democratic Party, was chosen the state party's first vice chairwoman, a position that carries with it superdelegate status.

Fernandez defeated three other opponents and received claps and cheers when she declared in her stump speech that she pledged her vote to Obama.

Attorney General Terry Goddard also was chosen to a superdelegate position. Goddard said he has not pledged support for either candidate yet. He said he is at least a few weeks away from making a decision.

"I look forward to attending the convention as our party comes together to kick some butt in the fall," he told an audience of more than 500 people at the downtown Wyndham Phoenix.

As superdelegates, Goddard and Fernandez get to attend the August Democratic National Convention in Denver and can vote for the presidential candidate of their choice. Superdelegates, unlike pledged delegates, are not bound by a state's popular vote. The nation's 794 super delegates make up about one-fifth of the total delegates, so they will determine the Democratic nomination if both candidates stay in the race.

Arizona has 11 super delegates with four supporting Clinton, three backing Obama and four uncommitted as of Saturday.

Obama currently leads in total delegates nationally with 1,724 pledged and super delegates to Clinton's 1,593, according to the Associated Press. A candidate needs 2,025 delegates to win the nomination.

Reach the reporter at anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com or 602 444-8072.