Delaware’s Former Lt. Governor John Carney (D-DE) is running  uncontested for the state’s lone House seat–and he is doing it with the political weight of the DCCC, a handful of lawmakers, and at least half a dozen well connected lobbyists behind him (see this invitation to a November 4 luncheon).

According to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, Carney had raised $427,000 by the end of the third quarter of this year. His only registered opponent in the primary so far, Scott Spencer, has reported nothing whatsoever, and no Republican opponent has announced yet.

The incumbent, Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) announced last month that he would be running to fill the Senate seat vacated by Vice President Joe Biden, effectively clearing the way for Carney.

Carney announced his candidacy on tax day earlier this year and shortly thereafter received the endorsement of Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), the state’s senior Senator:

“He is the strongest Democratic congressional candidate that our state has seen in many years,” Carper said. “The breadth of his experience and knowledge of this state and many of the issues we face now make him more than qualified to be a United States congressman.”

Carper speaks from experience–Carney worked as his secretary of finance and as deputy chief of staff when Carper was Governor. In addition to his public endorsement, Carper may or may not be calling in a favor or two. Jonathon Jones,  his former chief of staff from 2001-2007, and now a lobbyist, is billed as one of the hosts on the November 4 luncheon invitation.

Jones isn’t the only former chief of staff turned lobbyist on the invitation though–John Michael Gonzalez, chief of staff to Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) from 2005-2009, is also listed as an event host (note that Bean is also mentioned on the invitation).

Other event hosts include lobbyist Sean Richardson, chief of staff to Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) from 2002-2006 and to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in 2007; lobbyist Jeffrey Peck, former staff director of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1987-1992, lobbyist Tanya Lombard who worked as a Special Assistant to President Clinton, and finally Gwen Mellor who lobbies for Hogan & Hartson.

Carney’s inside support is already showing in his campaign receipts. His third top source of cash is leadership PACs.

To see clients for lobbyists hosting the event click on individuals’ names: Jeffrey Peck, Jonathon Jones, John Michael Gonzalez, Tanya Lombard, Sean Richardson, Gwen Mellor

Tonight’s U2 concert at FedEx field has attracted at least four congressional fundraisers–three of them for Republicans. (Click here to see the full list.)

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) is asking for contributions ranging from $1,000 (per individual) to $2,500 (two tix for a PAC host). His invitation provides a long list of his committee assignments, starting with the powerful Appropriations committee.

Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) wants $2,500 per PAC, $1,000 per individual. His invitation also points out his committee assignments–and the fact that he is deputy whip.

Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) requests the most cash–$3,000 for one ticket or $5,000 for two.

And Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) is asking for between $1,000 and $2,500 for her leadership PAC, BEAN PAC.  Her invitation points out that the congresswoman sits on the House Financial Services committee.

This weekend looks to be chock-full of a variety of congressional fundraisers–the events include golf, baseball, a birthday cruise, a weekend escape to a casino resort, and last but certainly not least, the Elton and Billy concert at Nationals Park.

Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) is hosting her 3rd All-American Chicago Weekend which includes a Cubs v. Cardinals game from the Wrigley Field Rooftops. The invitation doesn’t give an indication as to which rooftop, but I’d wager the Congresswoman’s events planner has at least considered the Wrigley Field Rooftop Club’s MVP Suite.

According to Wikipedia, the Honorable Tom Latham (R-IA) is turning 61 on the 14th. In honor of his birthday donors can chip in $250-$2,500 to putz around on a boat named “Celebrity.”

Next up, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) is offering to whisk his donors away to the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Maybe they’ll have time to get in on a poker tournament while they are there. What’s a few hundred bucks after contributing the requested $2,000-$5,000 anyway?

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) will be spending his weekend golfing and raising money near the beach for his First State Leadership PAC. $5,000 gets you in on the fun.

Finally, Reps. John Shadegg (R-AZ), Jean Schmidt (R-OH) and John Shimkus (R-IL) will be fundraising at the Face2Face concert on Saturday. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, so I’ll just ask that anyone who finds tickets on Craigslist email me, because $2,000 a ticket is a bit too rich for my blood and I would really love to go.

Speaking of post-election celebrations, Rep. Mellisa Bean (D-IL) is planning one for after the election benefitting her leadership PAC, BEAN PAC, aka “Building Empowerment and Accountability Now.” She uses the PAC to help out other Democrats do what she’s done successfully for herself–win close races.

The occasion? A breakfast welcoming the “new class of the 111th Congress” as part of a “Frontline/Red2Blue” celebration. The location? The street address is 421 New Jersey Avenue, NW, which just happens to be the location of the UPS townhouse. This is a popular place for congressional fundraisers, as USA Today reported earlier this year.

Bean, who was elected in 2004, has been a top target of Republicans. She has also been, however, a tremendously successful fundraiser, collecting more than $3 million for her 2008 election bid. (To see more of her parties, click here.) Her reputation as a pro-business centrist and her seat on the powerful House Financial Services committee helps: she was the second top recipient this election cycle from finance and credit companies, and collected $827,000 from the finance, insurance, and real estate sector overall. Bean is favored to win her race next week.

Tim Leahy, who is the contact person for the event, says the event is no longer planned for Nov. 17 but will likely be later that week.