Although most recent polls show that voters have drifted toward U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton since her Pennsylvania win, the party's all important superdelegates have been busy rallying behind U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. The trend also is seen in Indiana, where Obama just recently took the lead for support among the state's superdelegates.

The 796 coveted superdelegates -- which include Democratic members of Congress and other influential party figures -- carry more total weight than California, New York and Florida combined. They are free to support whichever candidate they want and may change their mind up until the national convention in August.

According to The Associated Press, in the past two months, Obama has whittled Clinton's superdelegate lead in half. Although the exact count is not official, most polls show Clinton with a 15 to 20 superdelegate lead over Obama. Despite her lead among this group, Obama still has the lead among all delegates -- including superdelegates who have committed to a candidate -- by about 135.

Because there still are a sizeable number of undecided superdelegates, their support may be crucial in the outcome of the nomination. Indiana will seat 13 superdelegates at the party's national convention in August -- 12 have been named. The final superdelegate will be nominated by the state party in June.

Obama now leads the state's superdelegate race 5-4. All three of the undecided delegates are congressmen -- Pete Visclosky, Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth.

In addition to the state's superdelegates, there are 72 pledged delegates at stake in the Indiana primary. Of those, 47 are allocated among the state's nine congressional districts and will be apportioned between Clinton and Obama based on how they do in those individual districts. The other 25 will be divided based on statewide vote.

Who are the state's superdelegates?

Joe Andrew, former DNC chairman

Background: Andrew, 48, grew up on a farm near Fort Wayne. He received his bachelors and law degree from Yale University and entered politics in Indiana in 1984. He now is a partner with a law firm based in Washington, D.C.

Politics: Andrew was the national chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1999 to 2001. He was asked to serve by former President Clinton and, at age 39, was the youngest chairperson in the history of the DNC.

Prior to heading up the DNC, Andrew was the Indiana Democratic Party chairman for five years.

Endorsement: Although Andrew previously endorsed Clinton, earlier this week he switched his support to Obama, citing the need for a united Democratic Party. In a letter to fellow superdelegates, Andrew called on others to "heal the rift in our party and unite behind Barack Obama."

"The battle should not be amongst ourselves," Andrew said. "Rather, we should focus our efforts on those who are truly on the opposite side: those who want to continue the failed policies of the last eight years, rather than bring real change to Washington. Let us come together right now behind an inspiring leader who not only has the audacity to challenge the old divisive politics, but the audacity to make us all hope for a better America."

Evan Bayh, U.S. senator

Background: Bayh, 52, was born in Shirkieville. He graduated with honors in business economics from Indiana University and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. Prior to entering politics, he practiced law in Indianapolis.

Politics: Bayh was elected as Indiana secretary of state in 1986. He served as governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997, before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. He now serves on several Senate committees, including Armed Services, with Sen. Clinton.

Endorsement: Bayh has been one of Clinton's most vocal supporters in Indiana and has campaigned for her throughout the state. He was featured in her first statewide campaign ad and made multiple appearances on cable news shows to promote her. He is widely mentioned as a possible running mate if Clinton receives the nomination.

"My decision to support Senator Clinton was ultimately driven by my belief that the stakes in this election are extraordinarily high," Bayh said. Bayh also noted that he believes Clinton has strong appeal for Hoosiers because of her positions on economic issues such as job security and health care.

"She does best among those voters who are really challenged to make ends meet, because I think they rightly see her as someone who can deliver, actually get the job done, and make the progress that we need."

Cordelia Lewis-Burks, state party vice chairwoman

Background: Burks, 71, was born in eastern Kentucky and graduated from West Virginia State College. She was a licensed nurse and spent six years with Indiana State AFL-CIO as director of labor education and director of community service. She now is involved with numerous community organizations.

Politics: Burks began her involvement with the Democratic Party 50 years ago as a volunteer. As the vice chairwoman of the state party, she has campaigned for many presidential candidates, including Bill Clinton. She also worked in Chicago during Obama's campaign for U.S. Senate in 2004. She now is a precinct committee member.

Endorsement: Burks has publicly endorsed Obama.

"His message of change was important," Burks said. "But more important was his ability to bring those people into the process who have felt left out. As a party leader, that is very important to me."

Although Burks is supporting Obama, she said she will campaign for either Democratic candidate.

"We have two great candidates and when this thing is all over, I will be fighting for the Democrats because I think they best represent the needs of my state."

Donations: In August, Burks donated $1,000 to the Obama campaign, according to campaign finance reports.

Andre Carson, U.S. representative

Background: Carson, 33, is a native of Indianapolis. He received a degree in criminal justice management from Concordia University-Wisconsin and a masters in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to entering politics, he served with the Indiana State Excise Police for nine years.

Politics: Carson served as a member of the Indianapolis City-County Council before winning a special election in March to fill the seat of his late grandmother Julia Carson. During the election, he was endorsed by various officials, including Bayh and Obama.

Endorsement: Carson has publicly endorsed Obama. Carson was the first of Indiana's five Democratic representatives to announce support for a presidential candidate.

"He represents the kind of bold leadership and change that our country desperately needs," Carson said. "I know Senator Obama, like me, is committed to ending the war in Iraq, bringing down gas prices and creating good jobs here in Indiana, and he has the judgement and courage to solve these problems."

Phoebe Crane, DNC member

Background: Crane, 60, was born in Chicago. She received a psychology degree from Hanover College and a masters in counseling from Rhode Island College. While in Chicago, she worked with handicapped children and taught kindergarten. She now lives in Whitestown.

Politics: Crane has been involved with politics most of her life, beginning in 1968 when she helped campaign for Eugene McCarthy in the Democratic primary. Since then, she has been an active supporter of local Democrats, including Bayh and Visclosky.

Endorsement: Crane has publicly endorsed Clinton, citing her advocacy for children, her health care plan and her character.

"I think she mirrors so many of my own values," Crane said. "And at this point, the grit, resiliency and level headedness she has been able to muster under difficult situations has demonstrated ... why she is my candidate of choice."

Crane said she will support whichever Democratic candidate is nominated.

Donations: Crane has donated $2,300 to Clinton's campaign this year, according to campaign finance reports.

Joe Donnelly, U.S. representative (2nd District)

Background: Donnelly, 52, is a resident of Granger. He was born in New York, but remained in Indiana after graduating from the University of Notre Dame, where he received a degree in government as well as law. Prior to entering politics, Donnelly practiced law in South Bend and owned a small business in Mishawaka.

Politics: Donnelly served on the Indiana State Election Board from 1988 to 1989. He previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for state attorney general and the Indiana Senate. He was elected to Congress in 2006, after beating Republican Chris Chocola in a rematch of the 2004 race.

Endorsement: Donnelly has not publicly endorsed any candidate. According to his press secretary, Samantha Slater, Donnelly will support the candidate he believes will best serve the country.

"In reaching that decision, I will take into consideration a number of factors including, but not limited to, the pledged delegate county, the popular vote, how the respective nominees fared in Indiana and the Second Congressional District and where each stands on issues of importance to north central Indiana," Donnelly said.

Donations: According to campaign finance reports, Obama contributed $7,500 to Donnelly's campaign between 2006 and 2008.

Brad Ellsworth, U.S. representative (8th District)

Background: Ellsworth, 49, was raised in Evansville, where he still lives. He received a sociology degree from the University of Southern Indiana and a masters degree in criminology from Indiana State University. Prior to entering politics, Ellsworth had a 24-year career in law enforcement with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Department.

Politics: After serving two terms as sheriff in Vanderburgh County, Ellsworth defeated Republican incumbent John Hostettler for the 8th District seat. The district is located in the southwestern portion of the state and includes Evansville and Terre Haute.

Endorsement: Ellsworth has not publicly endorsed any candidate. His spokeswoman, Liz Farrar, said he has no plans to make an endorsement prior to next week's primary and has not set a time frame for announcing a decision.

"In the end, the American people should decide who the Democrat nominee will be, and I am glad that Indiana voters will get to have their say next week," Ellsworth said. "I don't believe the superdelegates should overturn the will of the voters, so if it comes down to the convention, I am inclined to support the candidate they choose."

Clinton has been pressing especially hard for Ellsworth's support and met with him last week along with North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler and others.

Donations: According to campaign finance reports, Obama contributed $10,000 to Ellsworth's campaign between 2006 and 2008.

Baron Hill, U.S. representative (9th District)

Background: Hill, 44, was born and raised in Seymour. He received a degree in history from Furman University in Greenville, S.C. After graduating, he returned to Indiana and ran an insurance and real estate business in Seymour for 15 years.

Politics: Ellsworth served in the Indiana House of Representative for eight years in the 1980s. In 1990, Ellsworth ran an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate, but became notable for walking the entire length of the state and meeting with Hoosiers along the way. In 1992, then-Gov. Bayh named Hill the executive director to the Indiana State Student Assistance Commission.

In 1998, he was elected to serve as the U.S. representative for the state's 9th District, which is located in south-central and southeastern Indiana. He lost his seat in November 2004, but was re-elected in 2006.

Endorsement: Earlier this week, Hill endorsed Obama. His official statement cites Obama's repudiation on Tuesday of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"His comments regarding statements made by Rev. Wright showed me another aspect of Senator Obama's leadership -- a strength in character and commitment to our nation that transcends the personal," Hill said. "One of the tests of a true leader is his ability and willingness to come to a new conclusion based on new events. Senator Obama did just that yesterday."

Donations: According to campaign finance reports, Obama contributed $12,500 to Hill's campaign between 2006 and 2008, while Clinton contributed $2,500.

Dan Parker, state party chairman

Background: Parker, 38, was born in Braintree, Mass., but resides in Indianapolis. He received a degree in government and politics from George Mason University in Virginia. He entered politics directly out of college.

Politics: Although Parker has never held elective office, he has been very active with the state Democratic Party. He was elected as the Indiana Democratic state chairman in 2004 and was re-elected in 2005. Prior to being leader of the state party, he served as Senator Bayh's state director for three years.

Endorsement: Parker has publicly endorsed Clinton, citing her experience and readiness to take office.

"Senator Bayh's endorsement of Senator Clinton was very important to me, but she really was everything I was looking for in a candidate," Parker said. "She was experienced and ready to tackle any problems."

Parker also said he believes she has been received extremely well by the state.

"Democrats have been exposed to the real Hillary Clinton and I think they like what they're seeing," Parker said.

Robert Pastrick, former mayor of East Chicago

Background: Pastrick was born in Gary and raised in East Chicago. He graduated from Bishop Noll Institute, attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Denver and received a mortuary science degree from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science.

Politics: Pastrick was in power in East Chicago for five decades, beginning in 1956, when he served as city councilman until 1964. Pastrick won the Democratic Party nomination for East Chicago mayor in 1971 and held the post for eight full terms until being defeated in 2004 by Democrat George Pabey. He is scheduled to go on trial later this year in a civil racketeering lawsuit brought against him by the state attorney general's office.

Endorsement: Pastrick has publicly endorsed Clinton.

"Hillary's impressive record of working across the aisle to get things done is the kind of consensus-building leadership we need to provide quality, affordable health care for every American and move our nation towards energy independence," Pastrick said.

Connie Thurman, DNC member

Background: Thurman, 54, is employed by the United Auto Workers in Indianapolis as a political representative.

Politics: Thurman is a superdelegate because she is a member of the Democratic National Committee. Thurman has been active in supporting Democratic presidential candidates in the past, including John Kerry in 2004.

Endorsement: Thurman has publicly endorsed Obama.

Thurman previously told reporters her top concerns were health care and the North American Free Trade Agreement. She has said that Obama personally called her four times -- three times to see if she had any questions about his policies and a fourth time to thank her.

"I didn't get one call from Hillary's campaign until after I committed to Obama," Thurman said.

Pete Visclosky, U.S. representative (1st District)

Background: Visclosky, 58, was born in Gary and is a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana. He received a degree in accounting from Indiana University Northwest and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to entering politics, he practiced law.

Politics: First elected to Congress in 1985, Visclosky is serving his 12th term as a U.S. representative. He is a member of the Appropriations Committee, where he heads the Energy and Water Subcommittee and sits on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. He also is chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus.

Endorsement: Visclosky has not publicly endorsed a candidate and said he does not have a time table in mind to make the decision.

"The primary criteria is, in my mind, which of the two candidates would make the best president of the United States, and I do believe that's been the best politics for the Democratic Party," Visclosky said.

"I would not feel bound by the results in the state or the district. But clearly those also would play into my decision because I do represent 675,000 people, and I am interested in knowing what their positions are and what their feelings are. So that clearly is an element but would not be determinative, or the sole criteria."