OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Seattle attorney and Democratic National Committee member David McDonald endorsed Barack Obama for the party's presidential nomination on Monday, saying Obama has brought "astounding new energy and hope to the Democratic Party nationwide."

McDonald, one of 17 superdelegates in Washington state, had been holding off making an endorsement until after this past weekend's rules committee meeting in Washington, D.C. He was one of 30 members deciding what to do with the disputed delegates from Michigan and Florida.

McDonald said he felt it was important he remain neutral until that decision was made. The states were being penalized for holding their primaries in January when they weren't supposed to vote until Feb. 5 or later.

The panel ultimately ruled to seat the disputed delegations, but gave each delegate only one-half vote rather than the full vote sought by Hillary Clinton's campaign.

"This was not an easy choice," McDonald said in an e-mail statement to The Associated Press. "Both of the candidates who remain in contention are capable of winning the general election and would likely do so if selected as the nominee."

But Obama "has shown a remarkable ability to organize and mobilize Democratic voters and focus their efforts on the key task of persuading independent voters around the country to join us in changing the White House agenda."

McDonald represented Gov. Chris Gregoire during the recount that followed her disputed 2004 election. Gregoire, another state superdelegate, also has endorsed Obama.

Obama now has the support of eight Washington superdelegates, while Clinton has six. Three remain officially uncommitted.

Obama leads Clinton nationally, and is less than 43 total delegates away from securing the nomination. If Tuesday's final two primaries don't put Obama over the top, additional superdelegates would have to supply the nominee's final margin of victory.

The Democratic winner will then face Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.