U.S. Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton is expected to officially announce Wednesday the endorsement of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for her candidacy during a campaign rally.

Local observers said the mayor's endorsement for Clinton is politically significant, as Villaraigosa has recently been a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and may help Clinton expand her reach among Latino and union voters in many parts of the country.

Clinton has met with Villaraigosa several times in Los Angeles and Washington and has reportedly wooed him more aggressively than any other top Democratic candidate.

The Clinton campaign has issued an advisory saying the presidential contender is scheduled to appear together with the mayor at UCLA campus to make a "major campaign announcement."

Villaraigosa, first Mexican-American mayor of the second largest U.S. city in nearly 200 years, is one of the most recognizable political figures in California and a rising Democratic star.

He confirmed Tuesday afternoon that he is endorsing Clinton in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, saying that he chose Clinton because she stood out among a crowded field of Democratic hopefuls.

"I'm supporting Sen. Clinton because I think her experience, strength and leadership are what we need in our nation right now," Villaraigosa said.

Villaraigosa's endorsement of Clinton comes nearly eight months before the first presidential primary election. Speculations said he would be a natural to be appointed as Secretary of Labor or to some other cabinet post if Clinton wins the White House.

However, the Los Angeles mayor waved off the speculation Tuesday, saying he was not looking for a cabinet post and only looking to help elect the next president of the country.

Villaraigosa co-chaired Senator John Kerry's Democratic presidential bid in 2004 and became deeply involved in planning the Democratic platform for the 2004 elections.

Source: Xinhua