Cain to keynote Hernando event

Last year, the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee landed Gov. Rick Scott as the keynote speaker at its annual Lincoln Day dinner.

How to top that?

How about Herman Cain, who early on in the Republican presidential race, was the GOP's presidential candidate front-runner?

Cain has since suspended his presidential campaign, but is still making the rounds of various events and he has committed to attending this year's 42nd annual Republican dinner, to be held April 27 at The Palace Grand in Spring Hill.

The VIP reception is at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Blaise Ingoglia, chairman of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee, said getting Cain was a "big get."

Cain, 66, led President Obama in the polls last fall when he unveiled a 9-9-9 tax plan that would replace the existing tax code. He is the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza.

Ingoglia said during the VIP reception, people can meet Cain and get their picture taken with him.

"This will most likely be the largest fundraising dinner in Hernando County history," Ingoglia said.

The cost is $75 for the dinner program and $175 for a VIP reception. People of any political party can attend.

Ingoglia said he's met Cain several times and had lunch with him when he was actively running for president.

Ingoglia said he "was always a big fan of Herman Cain" and he has a large fan base in Hernando County. He doesn't think Cain will get back into the presidential race.

"Herman was at the forefront of tax reform in the nation and he presented bold plans for tax reform," he said.

Ingoglia said it is possible that Cain got a bad rap concerning the alleged sexual allegations.

"After he dropped out of the race, you never heard any more from the women who made the allegations," he said.

Ingoglia expects tickets to go fast and that people can start buying them now.

"If you've never had the chance to hear Herman Cain speak live, this is your chance," he said. "He is an outstanding, powerful, compassionate speaker."

Besides Scott, the local party has already hosted Sen. Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, former U.S. Sen. George Lemieux and U.S. Rep. Alan West.

"One of the things that we are trying to do is bring nationally known speakers to Hernando County," Ingoglia said.

For more information, contact Ingoglia at chairman@hernandorepublicans.org or call him at (352) 686-8200

Meanwhile, Ingoglia continues to make appearances on Fox News as a political contributor.