Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland on Thursday announced his support of Sen. Barack Obama's campaign for the United States presidency, after Obama clinched the necessary number of delegates Tuesday to become the presumptive Democratic party nominee. Some local Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters say they too will stand behind Obama as the democratic nominee to unite the party in November - but they do so reluctantly.

"Ohioans desperately want real, meaningful change. And I believe Barack Obama will bring that change," Strickland said.

Formerly supporting candidate Sen. Clinton, D-N.Y., some political analysts believe it was Strickland's support that helped Clinton carry the state and deliver a much-needed win in its March primary election. After Obama reached the required delegate milestone on Tuesday, Clinton's campaign announced the senator's plans to drop out of the race this afternoon. Now rumored to be in consideration for the vice president spot on Obama's ticket, Clinton is calling for undecided superdelegates to get behind the presumptive nominee.

Strickland also has been mentioned as a vice presidential candidate, but repeatedly has said he's not interested in the job.

Following the governor's endorsement of Obama were endorsements from Ohio Democratic Party chairman Chris Redfern, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, and U.S. Reps. Zack Space, as well as former Clinton supporter, U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton.

Tom Lindsay, vice chairman of the Scioto County Democratic Party and local delegate for the Clinton campaign, said he would support whomever the party nominated, but also said he will not abandon his support for Clinton until she has formally dropped out of the race.

"I support either one that gets it now, but I still favor Hillary, because in my heart, I know she's a better candidate," he said. "Of course, I have to stand behind the party, because we really can't afford four more years of Bush. We have to unite as a party now, no matter what we do, no matter who's at the helm."

Lindsay called the party's handling of Michigan and Florida "a fair process," and said "every vote was counted," but also said the party should have counted the full delegate vote, rather than only half. He vowed to work as vice chairman of the Scioto County Democratic Party to unite the party, saying many Clinton supporters still aren't convinced.

"I've talked to a lot of people that are Hillary supporters that are having a hard time accepting if she doesn't make it. A lot of them are saying they won't vote or they'll vote the other way. It's up to the party to convince these people," he said.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this article. RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235.