DALLAS - As early voting began Tuesday morning, Texas voters began to finally have their say.

But voters in the Texas Democratic primary will choose only some of the 228 delegates that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are going after. Some of the other delegates are picked at the state convention.

However, there are also the super-delegates, which is unique to the Democratic Party. Super-delegates are not pledged to either candidate; and because of that, they're getting a lot of attention right now.

Among those receiving the unusual attention is David Hardt. While normally a mild-mannered Dallas businessman, these days he said he is feeling super after the attention he received from the Clintons.

Hardt not only received a surprise personal call from the Clintons, he also met with Chelsea Clinton.

"A gentleman on the other line says, 'Is this David Hardt,' and I said, 'Yes,'" Hardt said of the call. "[Then he said,] 'Please hold for Senator Hillary Clinton' ... The idea of getting a call from the former president of the United States is just surreal."

The personal visit and calls are because Hardt is a Texas Democratic Party super-delegate. While Democratic primary voters choose 126 delegates and 67 are picked at the state convention, 35 are chosen by super-delegates, who are top party and elected officials set aside to choose the candidate they want. Hardt qualified since he leads the Young Democrats of America.

"The Clintons are going very hard and heavy after super-delegates," Hardt said. "There's no question that they have been prepared for this a lot longer than Senator Obama."

If neither Clinton nor Obama end up with enough delegates from the ballot box, the 796 super-delegates not chosen by any voters could decide the nomination. So far, Clinton leads in super-delegates supporting her.

But those backing Obama say since he is ahead at the ballot box, then super-delegates should follow the voters.

"I think they should represent their constituency; and if the majority of their constituents lean one way, then that's the way they ought to vote," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas).

But the rules are the rules, and super-delegates in Texas have found themselves with an important task.

"At the end of the conversation she asked for my support," Hardt said. "But it wasn't a hard ask, it was just, 'I would love to have your support.'"

So, did all that attention change Hardt's mind?

While officially he said he is uncommitted, he said he will vote eventually for Clinton.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com