2016 presidential hopefuls to headline Iowa Democrats’ Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

CEDAR RAPIDS - Four 2016 Democratic presidential hopefuls will headline the Iowa Democratic Party's 2015 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Oct. 24 in Des Moines.

Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders have agreed to participate in the state party's annual fundraiser. Jim Webb was invited, too, the party said.

Each of the confirmed candidates will deliver a keynote address to outline their agenda to strengthen the economy and lift up working families, according to the party.

'On this historic night, we look forward to hearing our Democratic presidential candidates talk about policies that will strengthen the middle class and move our country forward,” said IDP Chairwoman Andy McGuire. 'The 2015 Dinner will be a great opportunity for Iowa Democrats to come together and hear each candidate lay out their vision for the future of our country.”

It may be historic in that it could be the last IDP Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. The State Central Committee voted earlier this summer to begin the process to change the name because Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were slave owners.

Several state Democratic parties have dropped the name because of although the former presidents are credited as the forefathers of the Modern Democratic Party, like 10 other presidents they were slave owners.

Over the years, the J-J Dinner has been one of the most popular IDP activities, serving as a fundraiser, a time to honor party leaders and as a showcase for presidential hopefuls. For example, then-Sen. Barack Obama's speech at the 2007 Iowa Jefferson Jackson dinner helped launch him to victory over John Edwards and Hillary Clinton in Iowa's first-in-the-nation precinct caucuses.

Tickets for the 2015 Jefferson-Jackson dinner can be purchased online at https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/event.aspx?Y=FrZ0S4jyDpV6%2bJfoD484gaLiUYctHwcQWk9dSv5pxIgGxA4%2bA2nO4w%3d%3d.