Indiana superdelegate Baron Hill backs Barack Obama

INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Rep. Baron Hill endorsed Barack Obama on Wednesday, giving the presidential hopeful a potential boost going into Indiana’s primary next week.

Hill, who represents a portion of southern Indiana, is a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. He planned to publicly announce the endorsement during an Obama campaign rally Wednesday night at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Hill spokeswoman Katie Moreau said.

Hill said in a statement that some had advised him to not choose yet between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, but decided he could not wait.

‘‘We cannot continue to pursue the same politics of personal destruction we have engaged in for a generation,’’ Hill said. ‘‘I believe Senator Obama has the capability to change the tone and tenor of politics in Washington. I believe that he can and will work with both parties and elevate the level of public discourse.’’

Hill joins Rep. Andre Carson of Indianapolis in endorsing Obama. The state’s three other Democratic congressmen have not backed either candidate, while Sen. Evan Bayh is supporting Clinton.

Hill has represented Indiana’s 9th District for all but two years since 1998. He is expected to face Republican Mike Sodrel in the November election for the fourth consecutive time, with Sodrel winning in 2004 before Hill took the seat back in 2006.

Polls have shown a tight race between Clinton and Obama in Indiana as they seek the 72 pledged delegates at stake in Tuesday’s primary.

Hill’s endorsement give Obama the backing of four Indiana superdelegates to five supporting Clinton. Those superdelegates are party leaders and elected officials who are free to vote as they choose at the Democratic convention.