A small town just south of Coeur d'Alene is about to get some big attention from Democrats across the state.  Worley is the site of the 2010 Democratic state convention, which is set for Friday and Saturday at the Coeur d'Alene tribal casino.  Most major Democratic candidates for office will make appearances at the convention this weekend, as will former Congressman Pat Williams from Montana.

The convention will be used to structure the party's platforms and priorities for upcoming years, but it will double as a fundraiser for several candidates, including Stan Olson of Boise, running to unseat Superintendent Tom Luna in November, as well as Keith Allred, who is set to face Gov. Butch Otter in the general election.  Olson will hold a lunch event Friday to raise money and Allred will hold one Saturday.  Allred is also set to appear Friday night at a general fundraiser for the party at a barbecue and skeet shoot.  U.S. Senate candidate Tom Sullivan from Driggs is also slated for the conference.  Sullivan faces Republican Mike Crapo in the fall.  Congressman Walt Minnick, the only Democrat elected on the federal level in the state, will not be attending.  His campaign spokesman, John Foster, said that Minnick is scheduled at an event in Eagle this weekend.

Convention-goers have a myriad of political activities to choose from at the convention.  Friday's programming includes voter file training, party rules and bylaws, and initial discussion of the party platform. Saturday will bring the state central committee meeting, more discussion of the party platform, and training on stump speeches.

The convention wraps up Saturday with a gala dinner featuring a keynote address from Williams, who represented Montana in Congress for 18 years.  IdahoReporter.com will provide coverage of events both days and will feature video interviews with Olson and Allred.