The FBI investigation of Terry McAuliffe and his deep ties with Hillary Clinton's campaign. [View all]

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What McAuliffe probe could mean for 2016
By Ryan Nobles, CNN
May 24, 2016


CNN) — The revelation that Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is facing a federal investigation related to campaign donations could complicate Hillary Clinton's effort to win the crucial swing state and its 13 electoral votes in November.

The ties between McAuliffe and the Clinton family run deep -- both personally and professionally.

McAuliffe often refers to former President Bill Clinton as his best friend. He served as Clinton's handpicked chair of the Democratic National Committee. Hillary Clinton was an early and enthusiastic supporter of McAuliffe's run for governor in 2013, holding several rallies and helping him raise money.

Despite their history, McAuliffe rejected any attempt Tuesday to connect his predicament to Hillary Clinton.

"I don't think this has anything to do with Hillary Clinton," McAuliffe said.

The Clinton campaign declined to comment on the McAuliffe investigation.

But the ties between the McAuliffe campaign of 2013 and the Clinton campaign of 2016 are extensive. Clinton's campaign manager Robby Mook ran McAuliffe's successful campaign for governor. The attorney representing McAuliffe in this matter, Mark Elias, is also an attorney for the Clinton campaign. There are also several staffers on many levels working for Clinton that played key roles in the governor's 2013 race.

"McAuliffe has raised and poured millions of dollars into the Democrat Party of Virginia in an effort to build the field structure that she's going to rely on," said RNC Virginia spokesman Garren Shipley. "I don't think it's a stretch to say that without Terry McAuliffe's money and organization, Hillary Clinton doesn't have much of a Virginia operation to speak of."

Read the full article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/24/politics/terry-mcauliffe-hillary-clinton-2016/index.html