Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to endorse Barack Obama

Word on the street is that Governor Tim Kaine (D) of Virginia will endorse Barack Obama for President at a Democratic fundraiser to be held Saturday night in Richmond.

UPDATE: Via the Associated Press:

Kaine, a Democrat who took office last year, has decided to endorse the Illinois senator in his bid for the party nomination, according to two officials with political ties to the governor. They spoke on the condition they not be identified because the decision had not been made public.

Obama will headline the Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day fundraising gala in Richmond on Saturday night, an event Kaine will attend along with Democratic Sen. Jim Webb and former Gov. Mark R. Warner.

Kaine has a strong political relationship with Obama, who traveled to Virginia the last two years to campaign for Kaine's gubernatorial campaign in 2005 and for Webb last fall.

Kaine staff won't confirm the endorsement but have told folks not to miss the event.