Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is preparing to shine bright in the national spotlight…

The 59-year-old Mexican American politician has been tapped to chair the Democratic Party’s national convention this summer in Charlotte, N.C.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who serves as the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, announced in an email to DNC members that Villaraigosa will be nominated to chair the September convention.

Chairing the national convention, where Democrats are expected to nominate President Barack Obama for a second term, will place Villaraigosa in a national spotlight. Overseeing the gathering will also place the Latino mayor front and center as Democrats attempt to woo Latino support for Obama and other candidates.

Wasserman Schultz tells DNC members that Villaraigosa has empowered people during his career and will encourage engagement from Americans across the country.

Meanwhile, Villaraigosa, one of the nation’s most prominent elected Latino officials, said he expected to play a role in the campaign’s outreach to Latino voters. The White House is counting on strong Latino turnout, especially in battleground states such as Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Florida. But the mayor said he planned to speak “to a broad cross section of people, not just to Latinos.”

Villaraigosa was elected mayor in 2005 and re-elected in 2009.

Tags: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Committee, Democratic National Convention, Democratic Party, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President Barack Obama

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