Hillary Clinton headed to Iowa

Bill and Hillary Clinton are headed to the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa in September to headline retiring Sen. Tom Harkin’s (D) annual steak fry.

Hillary Clinton’s attendance at the event, sources confirmed to The Hill, marks the beginning of her fall campaign activities as she contemplates a run for the White House in 2016.

{mosads}Clinton is one of Democrats’ most in-demand campaign surrogates this cycle, with an unpopular President Obama persona non grata on the trail. With many in the party excited at the prospect of her potential presidential bid, her visits to the stump could pack a real punch.

The steak fry appearance also marks her first return to a state that was not kind during her last run for the presidency. Clinton posted a damaging third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses in 2008, a defeat she never recovered from as Obama began his march to the nomination.

Other potential 2016 Democratic hopefuls have already made appearances in Iowa, including Vice President Biden, who headlined the steak fry last year, and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who keynoted an Iowa Democratic dinner last month.

The fundraiser will benefit Democratic candidates across Iowa, including Rep. Bruce Braley (D), who is locked in a tough fight for Harkin’s seat.

Hillary Clinton is also expected to raise money for the major Democratic campaign committees, and is likely to hit the trail for a number of other Democratic candidates facing difficult races.