Cooper Follows Orange To Pepco

Johnson, retired from the Phoenix Suns, has a tie to the District and the mayor through Rhee.

He is founder and chief executive of St. Hope, a nonprofit community development corporation that "operates St. Hope public schools, a system serving more than 1,500 students in grades pre-K-12," according to his campaign Web site.

Rhee was on the board of St. Hope until last year, when she took the chancellor's job. Johnson testified on Rhee's behalf during her confirmation hearing last year, and St. Hope was mentioned early on by Rhee as a possible operator of some of the District's failing schools under a plan to improve low-performing schools.

Thomas Gains 'Super' Powers

Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) became the latest Democrat to be elected a superdelegate, that all-powerful title that could make it or break it for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in their bids for the presidential nomination.

During the Potomac Primary in February, Thomas said he was in Clinton's camp. After Obama stomped Clinton 3 to 1 in the District, Thomas hedged a bit.

Last week, he narrowly beat Obama supporter Miriam Sapiro24 to 22 to become an unpledged delegate representing District Democrats at the national convention in Denver in August. Council member Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7) was the clear winner among 12 candidates for two superdelegate spots. She received 31 votes and has been in Obama's camp from the beginning.

"I didn't know being an unpledged delegate would make me so popular," Thomas said. "I've gotten 100, 200 calls and e-mails from the Listserves from Obama supporters."

The local committee sent out a news release last week, saying Thomas was pledging himself to Clinton. Thomas asked for a correction, which was sent Monday.

"I'm unpledged," Thomas said. "It's not political gamesmanship for me. I'm really undecided.

"I, at least, want to meet with [Obama] and see what he has to say," Thomas said. "I take this very seriously."

He said he will also listen to his constituents. That would make him for Obama, right?

"I will make a decision . . . before the Pennsylvania primary," Thomas said.

Also elected were council Chairman Vincent C. Gray and member Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large) as pledged party leader delegates who will cast their votes in Denver for Obama. The two ran unopposed.