Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., stoked presidential conjecture Saturday after an announcement he is set to headline a high-profile Democratic event in the nation’s first caucus state.
“We’re so excited to welcome @CoryBooker as our keynote speaker for the 2018 Fall Gala!” the state’s Democratic Party wrote on its official Twitter account. “Get your tickets now — trust us, you won’t want to miss this one.”
[New: Cory Booker reportedly beefs up Iowa staff, fueling speculation of a presidential run]
We’re so excited to welcome @CoryBooker as our keynote speaker for the 2018 Fall Gala! Get your tickets now — trust us, you won’t want to miss this one: https://t.co/Sq1CEAH1QH pic.twitter.com/V2UTabR2B1
— Iowa Democrats (@iowademocrats) September 8, 2018
Ticketing options for the Oct. 6 speaking engagement, which used to be known as the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, range from $25 to $10,000.
But Booker, an oft-mentioned candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, did not confirm to the Des Moines Register Saturday whether he was considering a tilt at the White House in 2020.
“Frankly, Iowa’s one of those states that I haven’t gone to a lot because we do know about that speculation,” he told the newspaper. “I think it’s irresponsible for anybody really to be focusing needed energy on an election two years and two months from now, as opposed to an election just two months from now.”
Senate Republicans accused Booker of grandstanding on Thursday by claiming to disclose “committee confidential” material on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh when the documents had already been cleared for release.
“I think Sen. Booker wants to make himself a martyr in aid of his presidential campaign,” Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said.
Other Democratic contenders, such as former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., have already made appearances in Iowa.
[Also read: Cory Booker releases another 19 ‘committee confidential’ Kavanaugh documents]
