WASHINGTON — Jennifer DeChant, one of Maine’s eight Democratic Party superdelegates, said Tuesday she will support Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois to become the party’s presidential nominee.

“As evidenced by the energy Maine Democrats showed in support of Senator Barack Obama at the state convention, I am pleased to add my voice as support to his candidacy,” DeChant, a Democratic National Committee member, said in a statement.

With DeChant’s endorsement, Obama is less than 40 delegates shy of locking up the nomination.

The five-month primary contest between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York will end tonight after polls close in the South Dakota and Montana.

The Associated Press reported today that Clinton would concede the race tonight, but the Clinton campaign issued a statement saying the report was “incorrect.”

Maine will send 32 delegates to the convention in Denver, including 24 pledged delegates and eight so-called “superdelegates,” the party bigwigs and elected officials who can endorse a candidate of their choosing at a time of their choosing.

Rep. Michael Michaud and Sam Spencer, a Democratic National Committee member from Portland, remain Maine’s two uncommitted superdelegates. Neither has indicated today whom they will support.

DeChant’s endorsement ends months of speculation and lobbying from the Obama and Clinton campaigns.

“I wanted to wait to make sure the process had played itself out,” DeChant said in a phone interview. “The Clinton campaign got to make some very valuable points and connect with the core of party and we’re stronger for it.”

Rep. Tom Allen endorsed Obama last month and Democratic Party chairman John Knutson and vice-chairwoman Marianne Stevens also support Obama.

Knutson appointed Gwethalyn Phillips as an “unpledged add-on” delegate at the Maine Democratic Party convention last week. Phillips, who served as the Maine Democratic Party chairwoman from 1998 to 2002, is an Obama supporter.