With the summer recess fast approaching on Aug. 9, lawmakers are busy trying to get in D.C. fundraisers while they can–whether or not they are in competitive races. Of the 146 fundraisers (and counting, as new events are added to our database daily) on file at Party Time for last week and this, some 17 are for  candidates running in races rated as “toss up” by the Cook Political Report, while 17 more are rated “lean Democratic” or “lean GOP.” You can see a full list of D.C. fundraisers over this two week period that we have on file by clicking here or see the embedded spreadsheet below.

Among the fundraisers on the current list is the dinner and reception for Kentucky senatorial candidate Rand Paul, which we wrote about last week. Also on the list is this “Krispy Kreme breakfast” on August 4 for Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., at the offices of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Burr began his reelection race as one of the most vulnerable incumbents; however since then his political stock has  risen, and this recent poll shows him with a lead over Democratic opponent Elaine Marshall. He is winning the money race in a big way, having raised $9.2 million to Marshall’s $1.1 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.  Our Party Time database contains 54 parties for the senator dating back to 2008. In March we wrote about Burr here, reporting how many of his top campaign contributors are clients of the D.C. lobbyists who host his fundraising events.

Another event is this breakfast for Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., on July 28 at The Monocole, hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Teamster PACs. Historically, labor unions have provided him more campaign cash than any other sector. In May, a long list of transportation related unions hosted this fundraiser for the congressman, who serves on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Teague will be facing Steve Pearce, who held the same seat before running for Senate and losing. Many of Pearce’s top contributors come from the energy industry.

Fundraising plans don’t always come through. This reception for Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-Fla., was scheduled for July 27 at the offices of Navigators Global–but in the end was canceled, according to one of the hosts, Meghan Johnson, a lobbyist for the firm. Johnson is one of a group of lobbyists reportedly being tapped by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to help fundraise and strategize for candidates facing tough races, according to Roll Call. The DCCC has reserved ad time for Kosmas, according to this AP report. Johnson would not comment on why the event was canceled.

Party Time provides this list as a resource for reporters and others interested in following congressional fundraising. When we receive information that an event is canceled or postponed, we note that in our database, but we can not confirm every event. See the list here and also below.

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