House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will give the keynote address at the Indiana Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Indianapolis on Saturday night.

Hoyer’s appearance underscores how important the Hoosier State is to the Democratic majority in the House.

Last year, Democrats picked up three seats in the state, which has voted for every Republican presidential nominee since 1964.

All three Democratic freshman — Reps. Brad Ellsworth, Joe Donnelly and Baron Hill, who took back the 9th district seat he lost in 2004 — will be on hand, as will Sen. Evan Bayh (D) and Rep. Julia Carson (D), who frequently has tough re-election contests.

Hoyer has already appeared with Hill this election cycle, stumping with him in Indianapolis in April.

— Nicole Duran