Hillary Clinton scheduled to speak in Hoover in October

Hillary Clinton is scheduled to visit Hoover in October to speak at the Alabama Democratic Conference convention, conference chairman Joe Reed said tonight.

The Democratic front-runner for president is set to speak at a luncheon on Oct. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel.

She will be the only presidential candidate speaking at the convention and likely will be endorsed by the predominantly black political group when it votes that Saturday afternoon, Reed said.

The group expects to hear her speak on issues such as immigration, voting rights, education and the minimum wage, Reed said.

“She’s a good candidate. I feel certain she’ll be the next president,” he said. “Secretary Clinton is very popular with the ladies and very popular with a lot of other segments of the population. We’re just looking forward to her coming.”

Alabama Democratic Conference members can buy tickets for the luncheon for $50 through their county chapters, Reed said. The general public can get tickets by calling the ADC state office at 334-263-4040. Ticket prices for the general public begin at $150 and go higher for seats closer to the speaker, Reed said.  Platinum sponsorships with tickets for three tables (30 people) will cost $5,000, he said.

The Alabama Democratic Conference endorsed Clinton over Barack Obama in 2008. The group has a rule that candidates must be present to be endorsed, and Obama did not attend in 2008, Reed said.

This year’s ADC convention will start on Oct. 16 and include workshops and a prayer breakfast on Oct. 17, he said.

“We are expecting a big crowd, and we expect it to be a very lively convention,” Reed said.