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WASHINGTON - Fresh off his weekend sweep, John Kerry assumed his first lead Monday in another key race, for endorsements or pledges from Democratic insiders and officials who will help choose the party's nominee, an Associated Press survey found.
Kerry now has 102 of the Democratic "superdelegates," people who get a vote at the Democratic convention by virtue of elected office or influence.
Adding the 102 superdelegates to the 329 pledged delegates Kerry has secured in primaries or caucuses gives him 431 delegates, the AP tally found. A candidate needs 2,162 to win the nomination.
Kerry's total is more than twice that of Howard Dean, his closest rival, who has 182 total delegates, 96 of which are superdelegates.
Dean hopes to win Wisconsin, where 72 pledged delegates are available, though a poll shows Kerry leading. Dean said Monday he would stay in the race even if he lost there next Tuesday, a stance he agreed was in contradiction with his vow last week.
Sen. John Edwards, N.C., is next with 117, including 26 superdelegates. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark is fourth with 84 delegates, 34 of them superdelegates. Al Sharpton is next with 12 delegates, including four superdelegates. Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich has two superdelegates.