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

We’re rounding out September with six more health care related fundraisers including three events that were planned yesterday (and the parties I blogged about here and here). We now have invitations to at least seventeen health care fundraisers for the month.

Today, Jocelyn Hong is hosting lunch for Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN) at the 21st Century Townhouse.  This is Hong’s fifth fundraiser in eight days.

Matt Sulkala, David Thomas, Israel Klein, Paul Brathwaite and Laura Harper are just a few of the hosts listed on Rep. Glenn Nye’s (D-VA) “Young Professionals Birthday Beers” bash tonight at 201 Lounge.

Brathwaite and Klein (of the Podesta Group) represent Covidien–”a $10 billion global health care products leader.” Laura Harper represents Blue Cross Blue Shield and Matt Sulkala lobbies for industry group PhRMA. David Thomas, a lobbyist with Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Inc, represents pharmaceutical companies such as Merck, AstraZeneca, Abbott Laboratories, Biogen and Forest Laboratories and PhRMA.

JD Derderian, who represents US Oncology, is hosting a reception for Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) at the Stanton Park Group offices on the 29th.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Sens. Bob Bennett (R-UT) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) are closing out September with receptions on the 30th with at least 14 health care lobbyist hosts between their three invitations (you can find those lobbyists’ names below).

To see clients for lobbyists hosting events click on individuals’ names: Louis Dupart, JD Derderian, Laura Harper, Mark Rayder, Hunter Bates, Nelson Litterst, Jocelyn Hong, Matt Sulkala, David Thomas, Israel Klein, Paul Brathwaite, Adam Olsen, George Baker, Doyce Boesch, Rick Murphy, Bill Brewster, John Bode, David Jones, Joel White Erin Graefe, Beth Jafari,Billy Piper, Charlie Harman.

Legislators are kicking off some fun weekend excursions starting today, and no doubt they’re hoping these festivities will have them rolling in cash by Monday. Whether you’re the sort of donor who enjoys  a relaxing wine tasting in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, or the type who is eager to see if Eric Clapton can top his best live solo to date, it’s a safe bet you will be able to find what you’re looking for.

Rep. Richard Neal (MA-2) is hosting a “Summer Weekend on Cape Cod” for his Madison PAC and asking for contributions of $5,000. The event is taking place at Chatham Bars Inn where guests can look forward to a weekend of golfing, tennis, fishing, and even antique car tours. Sounds like my ideal weekend, but I don’t think I could stretch my stipend that far even if I spent the rest of the summer eating Totino’s.

The wine tasting weekend “Pinot in Portland” is hosted by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) and his invitation asks for a contribution of $5,000. It isn’t clear from the invite, but if the plans were up to me, the weekend would start at the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, which offers a Pinot in Portland package– just a short 20 minute drive north of “the heart of wine country.”

Reps. Mazie Hirono (HI-2) and Joe Crowley (NY-7) are also hosting fundraisers with home state themes. Hirono is hosting her Third Annual Taste of Hawaii Reception in DC on the 15th. The Congresswoman is asking $5,000 for PAC hosts, $2,500 for PAC sponsors, $1,000 for PAC guests, $2,400 for individual hosts, $1,000 for individual sponsors, and $500 for individual guests. Crowley’s “I Love NY” weekend starts tonight (June 12, 2009) at 5pm in New York City and he’s asking for contributions of $5,000 from PACs and $2,000 from individuals.

Arguably the highlight of the weekend, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI-1) is hosting a fundraiser at Eric Clapton’s Verizon Center performance in Washington DC with Steve Winwood. The invitation requests contributions of $5,000 or $2,500 but it’s unclear as to what these contributions will net the donor. One thing is clear: any Clapton or Winwood fans that are willing to shell out the requested contributions will have one hell of a good time.

When the Boston Red Sox come to Washington on June 23rd for a friendly interleague series with the Nationals, a half dozen members hailing from the Northeast will be trying to cash in with fundraisers. And another four lawmakers hailing from states as far away as Florida and California are also taking their donors out to the ball game. (Click here to see list.)

Red Sox fans are sure to show up in droves to watch Kevin Youkilis knock one out of Nationals Park, and Reps. John Larson (D-CT), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jim Langevin (D-RI), and John Tierney (D-MA), all are all getting in on the game.

Larson is offering a grand slam for his donors. His idea is simple; a $5,000 check made out to “Larson for Congress” will not only pick up donors two tickets to game two, it will land them in the President’s Club for a batting practice viewing.

Reps. Steven Kagen (D-WI), Wally Herger (R-CA), Cliff Stearns (R-FL), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) are also eager to head to the park. Kagen has raised cash at baseball games before (see this invitation from May 2008); now he’s asking for $5,000 to net a buyer four tickets to game three of the upcoming series. Herger’s fundraiser will be his second at Nationals Park for the month of June. Schiff refers to his festivities as an evening “of hot dogs and homeruns” during the three game series. Stearns is raising cash for his leadership PAC, known as “The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism Fund.”

Legislators who missed out on tickets needn’t worry. They can follow Rep. John Tierney’s (MA-6) example and host pre-game celebrations well in advance of the actual series; he still asks for $5,000 for a “host,” and $2,500 from PACs.