Former DNC chairman will endorse Clinton

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) - Don Fowler, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and husband of current South Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler, will endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton for president Wednesday, sources tell CNN.

Fowler served as DNC chairman during former President Bill Clinton's administration from 1995 to 1997, a period that included Clinton’s 1996 re-election campaign.

Fowler's wife has been state party chairwoman since April. She has said that she will remain neutral in the presidential primary.

The former chairman is a current member of the DNC, and a superdelegate to the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver. Fowler will make the announcement in an afternoon conference call.

South Carolina Democrats will hold their primary on January 26, the final nominating contest for their party before Super Tuesday on February 5.

UPDATE: Fowler said on the conference call he is endorsing Clinton because of her experience and her chances to win in 2008, explaining that she is a "wise leader who understands American government and politics better than anyone in the race."

He also responded to recent poll numbers in South Carolina that show Sen. Barack Obama cutting into Clinton's long-held lead.

"This is a close race," he said. "Anyone who ever thought this was a done deal is a bit mistaken and perhaps naïve."

- CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby