Gov. Patrick Tapped As Co-Chair Of Obama Campaign

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick has been picked to serve as a co-chairman of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

Obama campaign officials say the co-chairs will serve as ambassadors for the president, offer advice on key issues, host campaign events and leading organizing efforts in all 50 states.

Patrick said he was proud and honored to help the campaign.

The Massachusetts Democrat is a friend and longtime backer of Obama and has already served as a political surrogate for Obama at public events and fundraisers.

A political action committee formed by Patrick to help pay for his travels on behalf of Obama and other Democrat candidates nationwide raised more than $575,000 in contributions in 2011.

The PAC reported spending nearly $327,000 and had about $249,000 left in cash at the start of 2012.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.