Unless you live under a rock and/or are dead, you know the 47th Super Bowl takes place this weekend! Whether you’re “Kaepernicking” in support of the 49ers (hint: You’re not) or swear by the Ravens’ so-intense-he-can’t-even-keep-the-drool-in-his-mouth Ray Lewis, the “Harbowl” is shaping up to be a classic. Party Time is usually pumped up for the big game because it can be a hotbed for political fundraisers, yet this year we’ve had no such luck — not a single Super Bowl event! If you’ve got the scoop on one please let us know by uploading it here!

So, what’s the PT pick for the next NFL champion? We’re going with the 49ers, because QB Colin Kaepernick isn’t just playing for NFL prestige, the Vince Lombardi trophy or even a trip to Disney World — he’ll get free Red Robin FOR LIFE if he wins. With all the gourmet burgers and bottomless steak fries he can eat as motivation, Joe Flacco and the birds have got no chance.*

There are lots of parties going on next week, however, and PT has you covered like Bernard Pollard. Check the highlights below:

Stockman Shakes Things Up
Boy, Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, sure is shaking things up in his return to Congress. The ultra-conservative first voted against John Boehnor, R-Ohio, for House Speaker, then threatened to impeach President Obama over potential gun regulations, comparing him to Saddam Hussein. After making enemies on both sides of the aisle, he thinks now is a good time to start fundraising. Stockman’s holding a reception on Feb. 4 at The Monocle near Capitol Hill that will run PACs $2,000/$1,000 and guests $1,000/$500.

Cornyn’s Birthday BBQ
The new senior Senator of Texas, Republican John Cornyn, has also been making waves in Washington recently. He’s holding firm against immigration reform, was one of only three to vote against new secretary of state John Kerry, and is leading the charge against former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel for defense secretary. Democrats claim Cornyn is on “Cruz-control,” being heavily influenced by freshman Tea Party sweetheart Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in the hopes of avoiding a primary challenge in 2014. Will supporters buy into this new even more conservative version of Cornyn? Will inside-the-beltway donors care either way? We’ll see at his Birthday BBQ Kick-Off Reception, where PACs are expected to shell out as much as $5,000 and individuals as much as $2,500.

Bluegrass Bucks
Cornyn will be busy the next day fundraising, but not for himself. Along with fellow Republican Sens. John Barrasso, Wyo., John Thune, S.D., Roy Blunt, Mo., and Jerry Moran, Kan., Cornyn will be out in support of their boss, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The so-called “Bluegrass Committee” is holding a $1,000 reception benefitting McConnell’s leadership PAC on friendly grounds, the offices of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Mitch must be awfully worried about 2014 — this is his seventh fundraiser since the election just a couple months ago.

1st High-Dollar Event of 2013 Is Here
While the NRSC rents out its building to McConnell, it will be generating some green of its own with a dinner at the Caucus Room. Newly-minted NRSC Chairman Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., will be attending, as will finance chair Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and up-and-comer Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. The event is hosted by lobbying powerhouse Akin Gump, which contributed almost $900,000 to political candidates this past election, and they’re expecting big bucks in return: A suggested maximum of $15,000 per PAC, and a minimum of $2,500 for individuals.

Dems Get 2014 Campaigns Underway
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., could face a tough battle for re-election in 2014 as a blue politician in an increasingly red state. But she isn’t going into the fight unprepared, as recent financial filings indicate that Landrieu has over $2.5 million in her coffers. Yet she isn’t content with that, throwing a fundraising luncheon on Feb. 6 at the offices of law/lobbying firm Baker Donelson in D.C. The food better be delicious, as the event is $2,500 to host, $1,000 to attend.

Another Democrat running in 2014 is Colorado Sen. Mark Udall. But his event isn’t exactly your typical political fundraiser (e.g. reception at a restaurant on Capitol Hill) — it’s an annual weekend skiing retreat at Vail, one of the nation’s premier (and most extreme) mountain resorts. It’s a nice trip away from the city, you could say. But it’s not so uncommon for Udall, who has climbed all 54 mountains in Colorado with peaks above 14,000 feet. Yikes. If you want to take on those double blacks (or stick to the bunny hills…) it’ll cost $5,000/PAC and $2,500/individual.

Kirk’s Triumphant Return
It was a little over one year ago that Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., suffered a stroke that put not only his job but his life in jeopardy. But last month, Kirk valiantly climbed the steps of the Capitol, signifying his return to Washington. Now PT has obtained an invite to a reception that signifies his swift return to fundraising as well. The event will cost $2,500/$1,000 for PACs and $1,000/$500 for individuals. Welcome back, Senator.

So there it is, your weekly fundraising roundup. Enjoy the big game on Sunday – but don’t get too invested in the festivities, because this one might already be decided by — if opinion polls reflect reality – God. Maybe he could spend a little less time on sports, and a little more time in Washington.

Until next time, Partiers!

*UPDATE: We were wrong.

Inauguration 2013 was packed with parties, concerts and formal balls celebrating Barack Obama’s second presidential term, but now it’s back to business as usual for America. “Beyonce-gate,” the most important story to come out of inauguration (hey, it had more legs than the speech), seems to have been resolved, and even the Senate finally did something about filibuster reform.

If you couldn’t make it to Washington for the president’s address, take a look at this hyper-quality panoramic view of the Capitol and you’re practically there (can you spot Boston Celtics legend (ahem!) Morgan Freeman?). Maybe you were in D.C., but couldn’t infiltrate a fancy-pants inaugural ball — check out WaPo’s nightlife superlatives, including their best overheard award: “’Believe it or not, the gay party ran out of champagne.’ — Overheard at the HRC Ball.” And if that’s still not good enough, catch this all-access pass to how Obama spent the weekend with a special edition of West Wing Week, including a special appearance by the First Dog, Bo!

But enough nostalgia for the weeks extravagant events. Now it’s Congress’ turn! The 2014 fundraising season is underway. PartyTime has the highlights below.

McConnell Back in Action
Although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has spent 30 years in the Senate and has almost $7 million in his campaign coffers, he’s taking nothing for granted in next year’s reelection bid. PT already has him on the books for seven fundraisers since Election Day — four since Jan. 1.  On Sunday, billionaire John Catsimatidis will be hosting a reception at his posh 5th Avenue apartment for McConnell, costing up to $5,000. It is co-hosted by NY GOP chairman (and son-in-law of the late President Richard Nixon) Ed Cox. Cox’s son (who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2010) happens to be married to Catsimatidis’ daughter (they’re so close they even sent out a wholesome family Christmas card this year…). While McConnell will receive the donations, Catsimatidis is hoping to build up his political reputation for an upcoming bid for NYC mayor, even though McConnell voted against the Hurricane Sandy aid package — which New Yorkers just might care about.

The very next night, the turtle-esque senator will be traveling back to Washington for a Senate Committee dinner. McConnell may be in fundraising overdrive because he’s worried about getting “primaried” by the Tea Party; right-wing groups, like For America, are already questioning whether or not McConnell is a true conservative. The details of the event are hazy, including who will be there and where exactly it will be taking place, so send PT that invite if you got it! What we do know is that it’ll cost guests anywhere from $2,500 to $500 to attend.

The Return of Rubio
It’s been almost 6 months since PT recorded a fundraiser for Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., but the rising GOP star is back. His newly formed joint fundraising committee, Rubio Victory Committee, will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser at a “Capitol Hill townhouse” on Jan. 30. PT would love to get it’s hands on the invite, so shoot us an email if you’ve stumbled upon it. Price levels go from $5,000 Host to $2,500 Sponsor to $500 personal, while PACs cost $1,000. It’s just another sign that Rubio could be preparing for a 2016 White House run.

Pryor PACs His Lunch
Even though Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., is planning his official 2014 kickoff in March (including a fundraiser with fellow Arkansan Bill Clinton), he’s getting an early start with a luncheon at congressional favorite Johnny’s Half-Shell. He’ll have lots of help though, as the following groups are listed as hosts: Experian PAC, Direct Voice PAC, VenPAC, Interactive Advertising Bureau and Magazine Publishers of America PAC, as well as lobbyists Greg Gill and Stu Ingis. Several of these organizations lobby on the communications and electronics industry, and it just so happens that Pryor sits on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee which oversees that area. Coincidence? To get into the lunch, guests will have to fork over $5,000 to host, $2,500 to sponsor and $1,000 to attend.

Though the inauguration is over, PT keeps the party going all year long — check back often for the latest political fundraisers. Until next time, Partiers!

(Photo: Pete Souza/Wikimedia Commons)

If there’s one thing we here at Party Time love more than anything (besides partying of course), it’s money. We can’t get enough of those high dollar fundraisers; we ceaselessly track rich donors and lobbyists; and we’re always searching for where that mysterious money trail leads. We even love the way our beautiful wampum looks (that Washington sure is a handsome gent, ain’t he?). So when President Obama nominated White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew for Treasury secretary, PT nearly had a heart attack. Why? Check out Lew’s incomprehensible spring-like travesty of a signature – the signature that could end up on all U.S. currency! But don’t fret — the president has some good news, saying, “Jack assures me that he will work to make at least one letter legible in order not to debase our currency should he be confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury.” Phew. We’re just relieved that the signature on American moolah won’t start looking like a Hostess cupcake.

And now, on to our normally scheduled Partying – check the highlights below!

Inaugural Balls Have Arrived
The very first 2013 Inaugural events are finally here, Partiers! The Party Time calendar contains five pre-inaugural parties that act as a prelude to the veritable storm of invites we’ve collected for the 57th Inauguration. Kicking things off (a full five days before the actual Inauguration) is the Alaska State Society. This group of “more than 300 D.C.-based Alaskans” is hosting an Inaugural Reception right on Capitol Hill at Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, a popular PT locale. Tickets to this event cost $50, $65 if you’d like an Alaska State Society membership.

Following this on Jan. 17 will be the first ever Sister Cities International Inaugural Ball, appropriately hosted at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hall of Flags. SSI is a “global citizen diplomacy network” that promotes global peace through individual and community partnerships. In fact, Washington, D.C. has 12 official sister city agreements, including Beijing, Rome and Paris. Tickets to the ball cost $250 per guest, but it’s a small price to pay in the quest for world peace.

McConnell and the Podesta Group Team Up
It seems that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is taking his 2014 election seriously – he’s hosted multiple fundraisers since the day after the election and formed a joint fundraising committee, McConnell Victory Kentucky. This time he’s getting a little help to throw another funder from the Republican caucus at the Podesta Group — more than a dozen lobbyists from the firm will host, including Mike Quaranta, Jim Dyer, David Morgenstern, Stephen Rademaker, David Marin and Kimberley Fritts. The cost to attend this lobbyist-studded event are $2,500 for PACs and $1,000 for individuals. We know it’s going down on Jan. 17, but don’t have the details on where  – if you’re in the know tell us by emailing PT!

Saxby Sojourns South to the Sunshine State
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., has been targeted by members of the Tea Party, including Tea Party Express Chairwoman Amy Kremer, to be “primaried.” This means he could be the latest conservative who isn’t conservative enough and will be challenged by a Tea Party candidate in the 2014 Senate primaries (Ask former Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., about the dangers of being “primaried.”) Perhaps sensing this threat, Chambliss will be throwing a Weekend in Florida to raise funds for the upcoming battle. Benefitting his Republican Majority Fund, Chambliss will charge $3,000 for PACs and $1,500 for individuals to join his vacation south on Jan. 18-20.

As always, upload any invites you may have here! And stay tuned to PT — early next week we’ll be covering the Inauguration, complete with the finished map of ALL the 2013 Inaugural balls!

Until next time, Partiers!

(Photo credit: iStockphoto.com)

(Updated 12/29/2012)

While most people are distraught over the fiscal cliff, worrying about the end of the world, or stressing out on buying that perfect present, Party Time is happy to see that some are thinking ahead to a more jocular time — inaugural ball season!

The PT homepage is sporting a spiffy new button that will guide you directly to all the 2013 inauguration parties we’ve logged so far. As it stands now, more than 50 parties will be thrown from Jan. 17 through Jan. 21 to celebrate the 57th presidential inauguration — and there are many more to come! To help you process all this information, we’ve assembled a handy map of each celebration above.

It’s simple – each marker represents an Inaugural ball thrown in the D.C. area; just click on each arrow to get the low-down on what’s happening there. We’ll continue to update the map as more invites flow in, so check back regularly!

While there are many parties represented here, PT knows that we haven’t quite captured them all — and this is where you come in, dear Partiers. If you’ve got the inside scoop on an inaugural ball, or if you want to get your own bash put on the map, please send the invite our way by uploading it here!

While the official inaugural balls list hasn’t been released yet (they’re usually announced in early January), several unofficial events have been scheduled by various businesses, organizations and state societies. These parties may not have explicit political beneficiaries, but, like the ones thrown at the during convention season, they still provide ample opportunities for lobbyists and politicians to schmooze – something we’re always on the lookout for here at Party Time.

One party that will be out of this world would be the Starry Night Inaugural Ball hosted by Washingtonian Magazine. Instead of a ritzy hotel, this party will be bumping at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum right on the National Mall. Tickets are regularly $350, but if you scoop yours up early it’s only $199.

Because California is California and its denizens have to be different from everyone else, they aren’t hosting a ball at all. Instead, they’re putting on a Fashion Show and Luncheon to try and prove that their state is better-looking than every other state. Unlike Washingtonian’s Starry Night Ball, this event will be taking place at a ritzy hotel – the Ritz Carlton D.C., to be exact. Tickets will run all you aspiring designers and models $250.

One of the more interesting events is the Inaugural Millennial Ball on Jan. 19. It takes place in M Central, a “brand new pop-up gallery space along D.C.’s historic H street corridor.” The space is so new that it doesn’t even show up on Google Maps yet. However, organizer Patrick Dowd — who has an interesting background — emailed PT over the Christmas/New Year’s break (and you thought we were napping off the sugar plums!) to say that tickets are $75 and available here. Throughout the weekend, M Central will be holding events for today’s youth to “come in from the cold, exchange ideas, and celebrate.” Sounds good to us!

Bonus: PT already covered some of the highlights, such as the Black Tie and Boots Ball, the 12th American Indian Inaugural Ball and the Illinois State Society’s Inaugural Gala, in an earlier blog post here. Check it out!

Back To Your Regularly Scheduled Partying
It’s easy to get carried away thinking of black-tie balls and extravagant celebrations, but there are still a couple of (relatively) blue-collar parties of note happening soon.

Scheduled this week are the first events for McConnell Victory Kentucky, a new joint fundraising committee to support Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in his 2014 reelection bid. The committee will be the beneficiary of back-to-back identical dinners on Monday and Tuesday at 220 E Street, NE – also known as the townhouse of lobbyist (and McConnell contributor) Rick Murphy. Hosting McConnell’s party the very next night include Koch Industries, owned by conservative mega-donors Charles and David Koch. Seems like the Turtle is keeping some interesting company. To join them at both fundraisers, it’ll cost PACs $2,500 and individuals $1,000.

In this week’s “Party Time Dishonorable Mention,” Rep. Steve Fincher, R-Tenn., is hosting a $2,500 “Eastern Shore Duck Hunt” in his home state. But, we ask, who would want to shoot something as cute as this, or as majestic as this? Now that’s a party fowl!

We hope you’re as excited about the Inaugural ball season as we are (this is Party Time, after all) — let’s just hope the Mayans are wrong so we can enjoy it!

Until next time, Partiers!

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of Suzanne Day)

Almost 30 events are lined up for this week. The highlights:

Romney in Atlanta: Update, 11:30 a.m., ET 6/11/2012: GOP favorite Mitt Romney is expected to be in Georgia on Monday for a fundraising event at the Cobb Galleria Center. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is expected to introduce Romney at the event, which will cost $1,000 per person for the general reception. Those who wish to attend the private dinner with Romney before the reception will have to hand out $50,000. Party Time offers a tip of the hat to Jim Galloway of the Atlanta Constitution Journal for leading us to the actual invite with more details.

Party Time has also learned that while Romney is in Atlanta, his wife Ann Romney will be wooing supporters in Maryland on Tuesday. The evening reception will be held at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum. Tickets for this event range from $15,000 to $1,000.

Obama Campaign, from Maine to New York: The Obama Victory Fund starts of a busy week in Maine with a yet another LGBT event, this time in the form of a house party. Tickets for the Monday event cost between $44 for Gen44 Young Professionals, a volunteer-driven group,  and $1,000 for event chairs.

The president himself will then be in Maryland for a Tuesday lunch at the home of some supporters. Attendees can pay $10,000 which will include a photo with the president as well as lunch, or dole out $50,000 for the lunch, photo, as well as the opportunity to be part of the “clutch.” While in Maryland, the president is also expected to attend a reception costing between $250 and $10,000 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore.

Pres. Obama is then supposed to fly into Philadelphia, Pa., to attend another reception in his honor. Event tickets cost $250 for guests but goes up to $10,000 for a chance to be a co-chair.

As Obama is courting supporters in Pennsylvania, the campaign will be Chicago for a “Runway to Win Chicago” at Harpo Studios. The event will feature celebrities and fashion icons such as Iman and Chanel Iman. Co-Hosts must pay $10,000, while guests can get in for a mere $150.

Finally, on Thursday, the campaign will be hosting a gala dinner with Pres. Obama and the first lady in the Empire State. Tickets cost $10,000 for guests and $15,000 for couples.

Out of the Usual: A few more interesting events (outside the normal breakfasts, lunches etc.) will be happening this week as well.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., will be having a golf outing in Virginia to benefit his leadership PAC, ROYB Fund on Monday. Golf fans should contribute $1,000 ($2,000 for PACs) in order to participate.

For those who need a way to battle the week’s heatwave (and aren’t counting their calories) Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) will be having a Monday ice cream social to benefit his own leadership PAC. This wont’ be cheap ice cream however, Young Professionals have to pay $100 while potential hosts must hand out $500. Perhaps they’ll be serving some gelato?

This week is another good week for our liquor connoisseurs as well. Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will have a Bourbon and Wine Tasting at the Altria Townhouse, also on Monday. Tickets start at $500.

Calling all baseball fans! Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., will be taking this one out to the Yankees National Game at Nationals Park on Saturday. Tickets are $1,000 per individual ($2,500 for PACs). So get your caps and gloves ready and prepare to cheer for your favorite team.

For freshman members of Congress looking to expand their influence in the legislature establishing a leadership PAC is a well-travelled route. Of the 12 freshmen Republicans in the Senate, nine have formed leadership PACs (although four of those Republicans did so during their terms as House Members). Only Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa., have yet to form a leadership PAC. Party Time has received invitations to several events benefitting these various PACs, two of which are scheduled for this week.

Tomorrow evening, Rand Paul’s, R-Ky., leadership PAC (RAND PAC), will be at the offices of R.B. Murphy and Associates for cocktails and dinner. The fundraiser will be hosted by a number of lobbyists and PACs including Hunter Bates, who was once chief of staff to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The Senate Minority Leader himself will also be at the dinner. This is the first event invitation in the Party Time records to feature both Kentucky senators since Paul was elected.  Suggested contributions for the RAND PAC event run from $500 to $2,500.

The following night of June 29, Kelly PAC, the leadership PAC of Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., will be holding a Defense Industry Dinner at Bobby Van’s Grill. Details on the invitation are few so it is unknown which representatives of the “defense industry” will be present, but Sen. Ayotte has been building her national defense gravitas since arriving in the Senate in January.  Her leadership PAC, established in February, has been holding regular events since May. Listed contributions range from $500 for an individual to $2,000 for a PAC co-host.

*Correction: This post was updated after it was discovered that McConnell hosted a fundraiser for Paul during his senatorial campaign.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is hosting a fundraising reception and dinner tonight for GOP Senate candidate and tea party favorite Rand Paul, who is in a close race with Bluegrass State Attorney General Jack Conway.

McConnell and Paul have had a prickly public relationship, with McConnell backing the establishment candidate (and hosting fundraisers) in the primary, and urging Paul to stay off national television after the candidate criticized the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

On the invitation to tonight’s event, McConnell “cordially invites” donors to attend the reception, where the suggested donation is $2,000-per-PAC and $1,000-per-person, and dinner, where PACs can be “Grand Hosts” for $5,000 or host the event for $4,000. The backdrop is the Monocle, a Capitol Hill eatery frequently used for fundraisers.

After vowing not to accept money from lawmakers who voted for the 2008 bank bailout, Paul’s campaign announced a change of heart last month. McConnell was one of many lawmakers to host a Paul fundraiser at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Paul has been mixing grassroots-type fundraisers with high-roller events. On a stop in New York City earlier this month, he held $1,000-per-plate event at the Harvard Club with Steve Forbes, then joined supporters at Webstar Hall, where the minimum contribution was $20. Paul’s campaign has also relied heavily on online fundraising, making use of one-day “moneybomb” drives, which netted him nearly $1 million over just three days during his primary bid.

In the second quarter, Paul raised $1.1 million to Conway’s $1.4 million, though Conway injected $400,000 of his own money. In total, Conway has brought in $3.7 million to Paul’s $3.6 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the same committee that began the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan Monday, were featured speakers of a June 22nd “Judiciary Roundtable” fundraiser benefiting the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, were listed on the invitation for the event, which was limited to 30 seats at $500-$1,000 per person or political action group. Those who gave $15,000 a year to the NRSC could attend for free.

While this event isn’t included in Party Time’s search for invitations by committee, since Cornyn and Hatch were not the beneficiaries of the fundraiser, there have been at least eight other campaign fundraisers for  the 19 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee between today and May 10 – the day President Obama announced Kagan as his nominee. They include:

• A breakfast this morning at for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Tickets cost $1,000 per PAC and $500 per person.
• A June 24th lunch for Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., at Charlie Palmer Steak to benefit Wyden’s Senate campaign. Tickets cost $500-$5,000.
• A June 22nd reception for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, at The Monocle Restaurant. The numerous hosts listed  included the American Health Care Association PAC. Tickets ranged from $500-$2,500.
• A May 20th breakfast for Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. Tickets ranged from $500-$1,000.
• A May 19th “Margaritas and Mariachi” at the National Republican Senatorial Committee offices for Sen. Cornyn’s ALAMO PAC. Hosts include the American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC, the Home Depot PAC, and the Verizon Good Gov’t Fund. Tickets cost $250-$2,500.
• A May 19th $1,000 per person “Bagels with Ben” fundraiser for Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.
• A May 13th fundraising dinner hosted by Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., honoring Republican politicians currently running for Senate. They include Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt now running for Senate, Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk now running for the Illinois Senate, former Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton now running for Colorado Senator, and former Representative and Bush cabinet member Rob Portman now running for Ohio Senate. Also listed was Senate Minority Leader Mitch MCconnell, R-Ky. Tickets cost $3,000-$5,000 and benefited the Road to Senate Victory Committee 2010.
• A May 12th reception at for Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa. Tickets cost $1,000-$5,000, and the event was billed as the final event before Specter’s Democratic primary, which he would go on to lose to Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak. Hosts included lobbyists Shannon Finley and Tony Podesta.

After 29 years as the senator from Pennsylvania, Arlen Specter was voted out by Democratic primary voters yesterday in favor of a two-term House member, Rep. Joe Sestak, who currently represents the state’s 7th congressional district. Sestak will now face Republican and former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey for the seat in November.

Five Hundred miles away in the Kentucky senate race, Republican tea party candidate Rand Paul bested Trey Grayson, the secretary of state who won the endorsement of Sen. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate. Paul, the son of Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, will face Democrat Jack Conway, the state’s attorney general, for the seat in November.

In Arkansas, moderate Democrat Blanche Lincoln must continue to fight for her Senate seat, as results from the state’s Democratic primary have found no clear majority against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter for the party’s nomination. The two will face-off in a runoff election on June 8th.

Other notable results:

Democrat Mark Critz won a special election for the open seat of late Congressman John Murtha for the remaining seven months of Murthas term for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Critz recently held a fundraiser at Lounge 201 in Washington D.C., according to Party Times list of invites. In attendance were Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen, and the Pennsylvania Democratic Delegation.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, of the 11th congressional district of Pennsylvania, moves on to battle his Republican challenger, Hazleton, Pa., mayor Lou Barletta in the November ballot. According to Party Time invites, Kanjorski has held eight fundraisers since the beginning of the year, the latest was a May 12 fundraiser at the Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, where for $5,000, people could host the event and for $1,000 they could attend. There is only one invite in Party Times files for Lou Barletta, an October 2008 fundraiser at the Capital Grille.

Republican Congressman Charlie Dent easily defeated tea party challenger Mat Benol and will face Democrat John Callahan for Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District in November. Since January, Dent has held 10 fundraisers, according to Party Time invites. He also has a fundraiser planned for May 25th, to celebrate his Big 50th Birthday with special guests. For $1,500, political action committees can participate and for $750 individuals can wish him a happy half-century.

Republican Rick Crawford won the GOP nominee for the 1st congressional district of Arkansas against Princella Smith, who at 26, hoped to become the youngest member of congress. Crawford faces a Democratic challenger who won’t be decided until a June 8th run-off election. Contenders will likely include Tim Wooldridge and Chad Causey.

The candidates for the Kentucky Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. Jim Bunning are campaigning down to the wire a day ahead of the Kentucky primary on Tuesday.

On the Republican side, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson and ophthalmologist Rand Paul, have raised about $2.7 million each, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Grayson has about $820,000 remaining, while Rand Paul, the son of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, has about $169,000.

Grayson has the support of Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s other Senator and the top Senate Republican, as well as former 2008 presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. Meanwhile, Paul has the support of tea party activists, former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and Sen. Jim Bunning, who announced in July 2009 that he was dropping out of the race due to difficulties raising funds and conflicts with McConnell.

On the Democratic side, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and Kentucky Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo are duking it out. Conway has the most funding at more than $2.6 million, while Mongiardo has raised about $2 million.

Party Time has three fundraisers for Republican candidate Trey Grayson on file. The latest was a breakfast in late February at the lobbying firm DC Navigators with McConnell as a special guest. For $1,000 a political action committee could attend and for $500 an individual could participate.

McConnell has also stumped for Grayson in November 2009, at a fundraising lunch hosted by lobbyists including Charlie Grizzle, who represents the East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, among others. Also hosting the event was lobbyist Brandon Kirkham, who represents Marathon Oil, and lobbyist Todd Walker, who represents Altria Client Services Inc., the parent company of Phillip Morris USA. For $1,000 a political action committee could attend the event, and for $500 an individual could attend.

Grayson also had the backing of Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, at a fundraising dinner at Johnny’s Half Shell also in November 2009. One of the event hosts was the Pfizer Political Action Committee.

There are no fundraisers on file for the other candidates, but that doesnt mean they aren’t happening. If you know of one please consider uploading it to us anonymously here.