INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana will dispatch more than a half dozen Democrats to the party's national convention this August in Denver.

Three mayors, a trio of region legislators, a former city leader and East Chicago Councilwoman Myrna Maldonado will represent the region at the Democratic National Convention. They won delegate slots amid fierce competition Saturday at the state party convention in Indianapolis.

"We are thrilled to have such a strong group of individuals represent Indiana in Denver this August," Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker, said Monday in a statement. "This diverse and dedicated group will give voice to the 1.2 million Hoosiers who cast a ballot for change in our May primary."

The 72 pledged delegates are assigned to either Hillary Clinton on Barack Obama based on the results of Indiana's May 6 Democratic presidential primary. Clinton's narrow victory in the Hoosier state earned her 38 delegates to 34 for Obama, who now is the party's presumptive nominee.

Indiana also will send 13 superdelegates to Denver, including former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville.

Parker on Saturday named former Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett, co-chair of Hoosiers for Hillary, the state's 13th superdelegate. The post previously had been up for grabs, per party rules.

NWI DELEGATES TO DNC

Clinton delegates

• Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.
• East Chicago Mayor George Pabey
• Bonnie Reese, D-Wheatfield, 1st District chairwoman, State Central Committee
• East Chicago Councilwoman Myrna Madonado

Obama delegates

• Gary Mayor Rudy Clay
• State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary,
• State Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary
• State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster
• Karen Freeman-Wilson, of Gary

NWI Superdelegates (previously known)

• Former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick
• U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville,