Minnesota House Speaker and DFL gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher is headed to the White House this evening to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) with the Obamas.

Kelliher is being accompanied by state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, the first Hispanic American to be elected to the Minnesota Senate, and until recently the running-mate of state Sen. John Marty in his quest for the DFL nomination for governor.

The DFL duo will attend an evening reception with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama commemorating Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican army's victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. But according to Kelliher spokeswoman Allison Myhre, it's not just a party. The Speaker will also be meeting with Obama officials to discuss the federal funding for Minnesota. From recent news reports, Hotdish understands the state could use the help.