Emanuel to headline Iowa Democratic dinner

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Democratic Party officials say Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will headline a state party fundraising dinner in November. Emanuel, the former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, is scheduled to keynote the state party’s Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner on Nov. 19.

The speaking spot in the leadoff presidential caucus state has frequently drawn potential Democratic candidates for the White House. Four years ago, Obama and the entire Democratic presidential field attended.

But with Obama running without a primary challenge, Emanuel is expected to campaign for his former boss’ re-election at the dinner.

Emanuel is a former three-term U.S. House member who left Congress to serve in the Obama White House. He left the West Wing last year to run for mayor of his hometown and was elected in February.