Bernie Sanders not confirmed, but Martin O'Malley to attend Dubuque event. [View all]

Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley will attend a gathering of Mississippi River city mayors in Dubuque next week, officials announced today.

The fourth annual Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative organizational meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, to Thursday, 17. Twenty-five mayors will gather to discuss policy and issues related to towns on the river, according to a City of Dubuque press release.

An initial press release also mistakenly stated fellow Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, would attend the event. MRCTI Executive Director Colin Wellenkamp and the Sanders campaign said the senator will not attend.

O’Malley will speak Wednesday during a luncheon at Grand River Center. The luncheon and organizational meeting are not open to the public, Wellenkamp said.

He said O’Malley has been asked to speak about his accomplishments and challenges as Maryland’s former governor in reducing pollution and restoring Chesapeake Bay, as well as the importance of clean water and developing a renewable energy portfolio for the state and nation.

Wellenkamp said all of the major presidential candidates were invited to attend the meeting and speak about clean water initiatives.

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