Jindal to headline Iowa GOP dinner, stoking 2016 speculation

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has been booked as keynote speaker for the Scott County, Iowa, Republican Party's annual Reagan dinner, stoking speculation that the governor might be eyeing a 2016 presidential run.

Jindal has been increasing his profile in the state of late, including joining former presidential candidate Rick Santorum on a statewide bus tour aimed at defeating an Iowa Supreme Court justice due to his role in legalizing gay marriage.

Justice David Wiggins, who is up for reelection this year, was one of the seven justices who unanimously ruled in favor of gay marriage in 2009. Three other justices have already lost their seats after similar pressure from conservative activists.

The dinner, held in Davenport, will cost $50 per ticket and include a silent auction to benefit the local Republican Party.

"This is our big fundraiser which helps us establish the funds we need to elect Republicans," the group said in a statement.

---