U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has decided to endorse Barack Obama for President, UnionLeader.com learned yesterday.

Her chief of staff, Harry Gural, confirmed the endorsement today.

The freshman 1st District congresswoman had been considering staying neutral in the primary, but has now decided to get involved.

Obama, who has been gaining on Hillary Clinton in recent New Hampshire polls, won the endorsement of the state's other member of Congress, 2nd District Rep. Paul Hodes, in July.

Shea-Porter defeated former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley in the November 2006 general election after upsetting Democratic former state Rep. James Craig in the September party primary.

Word of the pending Shea-Porter endorsement comes a day after Obama appeared with television star Oprah Winfrey at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Her backing may be a plus for Obama especially among women, who have strongly favored Clinton so far in the New Hampshire Democratic primary race, according to polls.