‘Veep’ Star To Host Panel With Governors At DNC

Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus will host a panel with female Democratic governors from across the country at the Democratic National Convention next week in Chicago.

The 63-year-old Hollywood actress — who played fictional character Vice President Selina Meyer on the popular HBO political satire — will be joined by the Democratic Governors Association, the actress confirmed to CNN.

The panel will take place on Wednesday August 21 where the “Seinfeld” actress and vocal Democratic supporter will moderate the event with eight Democratic women governors. The list includes such governors as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, among others.

Dreyfus told The Hollywood Reporter that “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.”

DGA Women Governors Fund chair Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey told THR, “Julia Louis-Dreyfus brings the same passion and intensity that drives her successful career on-screen to her projects off of it, including her decades of work as an advocate and activist fighting to protect abortion rights, voting rights and democracy and fighting to combat climate change.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus to Host Panel With Democratic Women Governors During DNC (Exclusive) https://t.co/7sNO4oHIhL

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 13, 2024

Veep” showrunner Dave Mandel recently reacted to the increased viewership of the HBO political series after clips went viral following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he was out of the race and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Speaking to THR, Mandel — who took over as showrunner in Season 5 of “Veep” — said he was thrilled to see the clips of the Emmy-winning series circulating.

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“Today, there may be more people checking out ‘Veep,’ and I can’t think of anything better,” Mandel said. “I hope they are enjoying. The crazier politics gets, the more Veep holds up!”

The show — which wrapped up after seven seasons in 2019 — has seen renewed interest with viewership increased by 353% on July 24 compared to the previous day, as previously reported. It happened 24 hours after Biden said he would no longer seek reelection.

In the show, which ran from 2012 until 2019, the president resigns, leaving Meyer to ascend the office herself and later launch her own campaign.

Related: ‘Veep’ Viewership Increases 350% After Harris Enters Presidential Race

Senior House Democrat Suffers Stroke

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who served multiple terms as House majority leader, suffered a “mild” stroke over the weekend and intends to get back to work after receiving treatment, according to his office.

Margaret Mulkerrin, Hoyer’s deputy chief of staff and spokesperson, released a statement about the health scare on Tuesday.

“On Sunday night, August 11, Rep. Steny Hoyer experienced a mild ischemic stroke and sought medical treatment,” Mulkerrin said. “Mr. Hoyer has responded well to treatment and has no lingering symptoms.”

The congressman, who is 85 years old and seeking re-election, “expects to resume his normal schedule next week,” Mulkerrin added. “Mr. Hoyer’s wife and family extend their deepest thanks to his medical team.”

Some follow House members, including Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), wished Hoyer a quick recovery. Leading candidates in Maryland’s U.S. Senate race, Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and Republican Larry Hogan, did the same.

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The mild stroke happened as the age and health of longtime politicians have taken a spotlight in the 2024 election.

President Joe Biden, who is 81, dropped out of the White House contest last month after a fumbling debate performance spurred Democrats to call on him to step aside over concerns about his mental acuity and electability.

Vice President Kamala Harris has since clinched the nomination for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, setting up a general election clash against former President Donald Trump.

The 2024 election could drastically shake up the power dynamic in Washington, D.C. Currently, the Democrats control the White House and Senate while the Republicans lead the House.

Earlier on Tuesday, the office of Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) revealed the congressman had been hospitalized a second time within the past month after reportedly being released to a rehabilitation center just days ago.

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“He is now stable. We will provide updates whenever possible and remain hopeful he will be able to resume his rehabilitation soon,” Pascrell’s chief of staff Ben Rich said in a statement.

The New Jersey Globe noted that Pascrell, who is 87, is running for a 15th term in Congress and would become the oldest member of the House if he defeats Republican challenger Billy Prempeh.