Julia Louis-Dreyfus to ‘shine the spotlight’ on female governors at DNC convention event

Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s next starring role will be at the Democratic National Convention, hosting an event aimed at highlighting the “essential leadership” of female governors. 

The former “Veep” star will headline a daytime panel next Wednesday at the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) convention in Chicago, which is poised to feature eight Democratic governors, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“I’m honored to host this conversation with America’s Democratic women governors while our party comes together to celebrate in Chicago,” Louis-Dreyfus said in a Tuesday announcement about the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Women Governors Fund event. News of Louis-Dreyfus’s participation in the panel was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

“Throughout their time in office, Democratic women governors have made history, changed the conversation surrounding women in executive roles, and gotten big things done for the good people of their states. They’ve shattered marble ceilings and demonstrated excellent leadership,” Louis-Dreyfus said. 

“Their voices are essential. I’m looking forward to our conversation and the opportunity to shine the spotlight on these accomplished leaders,” the 63-year-old actor said.

Healey, the chair of the DGA Women Governors Fund, praised Louis-Dreyfus for bringing “the same passion and intensity that drives her successful career on-screen to her projects off of it.”

“We share a mutual goal of supporting and electing more female candidates to all levels of government — including for governor, Congress, and, of course, for president — but we know all too well that female candidates face more obstacles to higher office than their male counterparts,” Healey said. 

Louis-Dreyfus, who played fictional Vice President Selina Meyer on HBO’s political satire “Veep,” also played a part at the 2020 convention, emceeing the final night of the virtual convention.

The Emmy Award winner and Democratic supporter has been a frequent critic of former President Trump. In 2022, she reunited with the cast of “Veep” for a Democratic fundraiser ahead of that year’s midterm elections.