In yesterday’s batch of congressional primaries, the main surprise is the drubbing taken by converted Republican Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama.

After switching parties in December, Griffith, who represents the states 5th Congressional District, was embraced by national Republicans, built a war chest, and partied with John Boehner and Eric Cantor. Boehner hosted a “Welcome to the GOP Reception” for him in February — to attend, contributors played host for $2,500.

But by losing more than half the vote yesterday, Griffith even failed to reach the runoff round. Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks won 51 percent of the vote to Griffith’s 33 percent, while businessman Les Philip took 16 percent. Brooks will now face political consultant Steve Raby, who won the Democratic primary handily yesterday.

Over in New Mexico and Mississippi, things went as expected. In southern New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce coasted in the GOP primary and now goes on to face Democratic incumbent Harry Teague.

In Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District, it will be Republican Alan Nunnelee battling Democratic incumbent Travis Childers in November. Nunnellee won 51 percent of the vote. The other Republican candidates, Henry Ross received 33 percent of the vote and Angela McGlowan got16 percent.

Congress is working pretty hard this week (see a few of the scheduled hearings here, here and here).  However, the busy work schedule isn’t stopping–or maybe it’s even inspiring–legislators to party hard in their free time.  For today’s date alone, June 16, we have 33 fundraising events in the Party Time database.

Perhaps the greatest similarity between all of these events is that, with only a handful of exceptions, the choice of venue and mode of entertainment sound, well, boring.  I enjoy shrimp cocktails and Maryland crabcakes as much as anyone else, but how many private lunch buffets in the Blue Room can one legislator stand? Some of our elected officials’ favorite venues are beyond tired.

There are a few legislators who are showing some creativity. Rep. Tom Latham (R, IA-4) is hosting a fundraiser at the Starfish Café. He’s asking for $2,500 from PACs and $1,500 from individual donors (and that gorgonzola pear salad looks like it might be worth every penny). Rep. Parker Griffith (D, AL-5) is hosting a dinner at Bobby Van’s Grill—his first event at this location according to our records. While his adventurism is surely to be applauded, it may be poorly rewarded according to one Washington Post reader review.

To round out this 33-fundraising-event day, Rep. Darrell Issa (R, CA-49) is hosting his 8th annual Issa Cream Event. He’s asking PACs for $1,000 and individuals for $500.  The invitation lists 13 additional House Reps. as “special guests”–which just goes to show that everyone loves ice cream. Or issa cream. Or whatever.