RALEIGH -- The 2012 Democratic National Convention will be held in North Carolina, but Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz has already made her first visit to the state.

Speaking at the Organizing for America North Carolina Headquarters in Raleigh, Wasserman Schultz said that North Carolina is a very important part of President Obama's campaign. "North Carolina is the heart and soul of the reelection campaign of President Obama, our convention is going to be here, we're very excited about it," she said.

In 2008, President Barack Obama won the state of North Carolina by a thin margin against Republican Sen. John McCain. It was the first time that North Carolina voted Democrat since the election of former president Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Wasserman Schultz, a Representative from Florida, has been a member of the US House of Representatives since 2005. Just two weeks ago, she was confirmed as the first woman chair of the Democratic National Committee in 15 years.

Listen to Rep. Wasserman Schultz talk with reporters:

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