Hillary Clinton set to make first Alabama campaign stop

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hillary Clinton’s campaign has reportedly confirmed her first campaign stop in Alabama, accepting an invitation to speak at the Alabama Democratic Conference convention in Hoover on Oct. 17. She is currently the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president and will be visiting just four days after the CNN Democratic Primary Debate on Oct. 13.

Clinton is set to speak during an ADC luncheon at the Wynfrey Hotel, and her speech is unlikely to be open to the public..

“Hillary Clinton is right on the issues and Alabama is fortunate to have her visit us, we believe she will be the next president of the United States,” said ADC Chairman Joe Reed in a news release.

Historically the ADC is a predominantly black political organization that was founded in 1960 by the national party in an effort to encourage African Americans in registering to vote.

Clinton’s October visit makes her the first Democratic candidate to swing through Alabama.

The Southern Super Tuesday, also called the “SEC Primary,” is new to the 2016 race, and has greatly increased the importance of the southeastern states to presidential candidates as evidenced by the multiple visits from candidates courting the votes of Alabamians during the last few months. This consolidated election day now separates the South for the same reason that Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and other states receive national attention—momentum.

“There’s so much focus on Iowa and New Hampshire, but Secretary Clinton and her team know that the South will deliver a huge number of delegates that will essentially seal the nomination for her,” said DuBose Porter, the Georgia Democratic Party chairman and a Clinton supporter.

Clinton’s advisers anticipate the eight Southern primaries will provide hundreds of delegates for Clinton, which will add to the goal of approximately 2,200 delegates needed for Clinton to receive the nomination.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Clinton has been under investigation for months concerning misuse of government email accounts and policy. Clinton is expected to testify before The Select Committee on Benghazi in October.

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— John James (@john_james_20) August 19, 2015