RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Wednesday he will speak at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
McAuliffe told reporters he is slated to speak right after presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton receives enough roll call votes to officially become the party’s nominee for president.
McAuliffe, a close friend of the Clintons and political ally, served as President Clinton’s handpicked chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2001.
Hillary Clinton was also a supporter of McAuliffe’s run for governor in 2013, holding several rallies and helping him raise money.
McAuliffe said he’s still preparing his speech said he’s been given “free rein to say whatever I want” by Democratic Party officials.
The Virginia governor joins a list of speakers that will includes President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and former Clinton rival Bernie Sanders.
