The chief executive of the world's biggest coffee company is giving a jolt to Hillary Clinton's presidential bid with an endorsement.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz threw his support to the Democratic presidential nominee during an interview Wednesday with CNN anchor Poppy Harlow at the CNNMonday American Opportunity conference in New York City.
"I think it's obvious Hillary Clinton needs to be the next president," Schultz said, praising the nominee's "life experience" and "professional experience" to be president.
Schultz, who calls himself a "life-long Democrat," endorsed Barack Obama for president in 2008 and in 2012, and has donated only to Democrats over the years with one exception — a contribution to GOP Arizona Sen. John McCain in the late 1990s, CNN reported.
According to the Seattle Times, Schultz is the driving force behind the giant coffee company's increased engagement in political and social issues.
Schultz's own corporate office is decorated with photographs of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, the Times reported.
In his interview, he also left the door open to his own political run someday.
"I'm still a young man," the 63-year-old said. "I would never say never, but this is not the right time."