Hillary Clinton expected to speak at New York Democratic convention

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is expected to speak at next week’s New York State Democratic Party Convention, according to people familiar with the matter.

Clinton, who previously represented New York in the U.S. Senate, is likely to take the stage in front of party leaders at the Sheraton hotel in Times Square, these people said.

The development comes as Clinton, who also was secretary of State during the first half of President Barack Obama‘s administration, works to maintain relevance in a party that could be headed for defeat in this year’s midterm elections.

It may also stoke speculation about a potential new Clinton bid for elected office. Two of her allies last month had an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal suggesting Clinton could run for president in 2024 as President Joe Biden‘s approval ratings have fallen dramatically. Clinton has said she would not run for president again after her loss to Donald Trump in 2016.

“She’s beloved by the mainstream members of the Democratic Party and her popularity is likely higher than that of President Biden. It’s good for her because it keeps her relevant and her appearance is likely meant to galvanize the party and the audience,” said one of the people who said Clinton is set to speak at next week’s event.

These people declined to be named in order to speak freely about the yet-to-be announced speaker.

A January NBC News poll showed that Biden’s approval rating among adults stood at 43% versus 54% disapproving. The survey showed that only 15% of participants said they strongly approve of the job Biden has done as president, while another 43% said they strongly disapproved. The poll had a margin of error of around 3%.

Jay Jacobs, chair of the New York State Democratic Party, did not return emails seeking comment. His chief of staff, Chris Melnyczuk, did not deny that Clinton was set to speak at the event.

“We’ve reached out to a number of people to speak and, you know, we’re waiting back on confirmation from a number of people. So there are a few things in the works,” Melnyczuk told CNBC over the phone on Thursday. “We’ve reached out to a number of folks, we’re not going to say who we’ve reached out to,” he said when asked whether Clinton was invited to speak.

A spokesman for Clinton also did not return a request for comment.

The New York State Democratic Party’s website says the group will have a welcome reception on Wednesday, and the convention itself will take place next Thursday. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who are both up for reelection in 2022, could be in attendance.

It is unclear which day Clinton is set to speak, nor is the topic of her remarks.

Clinton, 74, spoke at the 2018 state party convention, when she endorsed then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo resigned last year after former members of his staff and…