Obama's Ancestors May Have Owned Slaves

Democratic presidential hopeful, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is seen on stage after speaking at the Latino Leaders luncheon in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP)

FRESNO, Calif. (AP)_ Democratic presidential contender John Edwards told farmworkers and labor leaders Friday he would fight to allow undocumented immigrants to work their way toward citizenship.

Edwards spoke to citrus workers and officials from the United Farm Workers in the San Joaquin Valley during a tour of California that will also include campaign and fundraising stops in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area.

The former North Carolina senator stressed his support for organized labor.

"These workers are at the heart of why I want to be president of the United States," Edwards said, flanked by UFW President Arturo Rodriguez. "We need comprehensive immigration reform in this country, and that includes the ability of people to earn citizenship."

Edwards' rural roots might give him an edge in Central California, a region his leading rivals for the Democratic nomination, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, have yet to visit, a political analyst said.

"Edwards is trying to work the unions to get the early endorsements and he can relate to ag (agriculture) people as well" said David Schecter, a political scientist at California State University, Fresno. "That's crucial, but even more so will be raising several hundred thousand dollars an hour."

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Associated Press Writers Henry C. Jackson in Johnston, Iowa; Jim Davenport in Columbia, S.C., and Garance Burke in Fresno, Calif., contributed to this report.