Rep. Paul Hodes will endorse presidential hopeful Barack Obama today, the Associated Press has learned.

Hodes, a first-term congressman, will make the announcement during an 8:30 a.m. event at Eagle Square in Concord, an Obama source said.

The endorsement is a major coup for the campaign, which has seen other top-tier Democrats endorse rival Sen. Hillary Clinton and former senator John Edwards. Hodes is the first member of the state's four-member congressional delegation to register an official endorsement.

Hodes is expected to bring with him liberal activists who helped propel him to a victory over Republican Charlie Bass. Earlier this month, a Granite State poll said 34 percent of his district rated him favorably.

He enjoys a 52 percent rating among registered Democrats, and 40 percent of undeclared voters give him a favorable rating.

The Associated Press