Politics

Pre-State of the Union Fundraisers

By Keenan Steiner

This is a cross-post with Political Party Time

There are some pre-State of the Union fundraisers happening on the Hill tonight.

The docket of events could start with a stiff drink alongside Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc. He will be attending ?Martinis and Mayhem? at 5 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Club, his office confirmed. The shindig attempts to raise up to $1,000 per supporter for his campaign, according to the invitation.

At 6:30 p.m., two of Rep. Joe Barton?s, R-Texas, former top aides-turned influential lobbyists will be hosting a $1,500-per-PAC dinner at the townhouse of lobbyist Rick Murphy. One former aide, Bud Albright, was the staff director of the Energy and Commerce Committee while Barton was the chair. He recently became the man responsible for implementing CenterPoint Energy?s legislative agenda. The other lobbyist is Jeff MacKinnon, Barton?s former legislative director who has many telecom and energy clients.

Also hosting is health care lobbyist Jeff Kimbell, a former member of President George W. Bush?s Department of Health and Human Services transition team advisory committee.

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, a freshman and former outsider candidate who won the 2010 election with Tea Party support, will be eating dinner at a Trattoria Alberto fundraiser on the Hill at 6 p.m. The ask is $500 for individual donations and $1,000 for PAC donations.

Meanwhile, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., who is giving the Republican response to Obama?s speech, was supposed to hold a leadership PAC fundraiser tonight in D.C. but it?s been postponed for a date to be determined, according to his fundraising consultant. The event had been scheduled before he was tapped for the speech, the consultant said.

Full post as published by Sunlight Foundation on January 25, 2011 (boomark / email).