Virginia Senator Tim Kaine will back Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race if she decides to run.

Kaine told the South Carolina Women’s Democratic Council during a special breakfast function that he backed Clinton because of her experience and her history of engaging important domestic issues.

Kaine was in Columbia, S.C. as the keynote speaker at the South Carolina Jefferson Jackson Dinner.

Said Kaine, “She is a classic American optimist with the background and experiences necessary to lead this country in a very complicated world.”

He mentioned that he would be “starting his fifth year in the Senate” in 2017.

Kaine said he considered Clinton someone he knew for certain that he would “want to be working with in the White House on all fronts.”

It's not Friday but that doesn't mean it's not a great day to follow our friend @TimKaine #readyforhillary pic.twitter.com/vr6qxi2eey

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) May 3, 2014

He acknowledged that sexism could be a major stumbling block, making Clinton’s journey toward winning the presidency difficult one.

“If it were easy for women to achieve top leadership spots in this country,” said Kaine, “ Congress would have more than 18 percent women serving.”

.@tulsaeducare @GKFF @2SmallToFail Great day launching #TalkingIsTeachingTulsa. And, I made some new friends: pic.twitter.com/bX7OmEofSO

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 25, 2014

Because of perceived racial politics in the country during 2006, few believed that President Barack Obama had a chance.

One of those few who backed Obama early on was Senator Kaine.

“I made my decision early because I knew something,” said Kaine about Obama. “He was the right person for the job, but getting there would be hard. And I figured that the sooner I started helping him in Virginia, the more helpful I would be.”

GREAT PIC! @timkaine announces support for @HillaryClinton and joins @ReadyForHillary effort. pic.twitter.com/RuDVgp4sSC

— Seth Bringman (@sethbringman) May 3, 2014

In fact Virginia went for Obama in 2008, marking a rare time in recent history when the state went blue. It can be said that Kaine’s ongoing support played a huge role.

Will his early support of Hillary Clinton as president precede another turned corner in our history? Only time will tell.

Image via YouTube