Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is coming to North Dakota in about two weeks.

That's word from Democrats in the state, who have secured the Illinois senator as their keynote speaker for their nominating convention on April 4 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.

In the Feb. 5 presidential caucuses in North Dakota, Obama won 62 percent of the vote.

"I thank Senators [Kent] Conrad and [Byron] Dorgan and Congressman [Earl] Pomeroy for inviting me back to the state," a party news release quoted Obama as saying, "and look forward to continue working with the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party to strengthen our party and achieve victory in November."

Obama was invited to the convention by Conrad, who endorsed Obama in December. Obama later collected endorsements from Dorgan, Pomeroy and three other North Dakota super-delegates.

"Senator Obama is a person of rare quality, and his message of can-do optimism and hope is one that I believe resonates in North Dakota," the news release quoted Conrad as saying. "Senator Obama has shown that he has what it takes to win in states like North Dakota, Minnesota and Wyoming."

The party also has invited Hillary Clinton, Obama's rival for the nomination, to the convention, the Grand Forks Herald reported this morning. There is no word yet on whether she will attend.

--PAUL WALSH