As they enter 2012, both members of Congress fighting to keep their seats and challengers are stepping up their fundraising for the upcoming primaries and the general elections. Either because of redistricting or a high profile opponent, several of these office holders are looking at tight races.

In the run up to the elections, all eyes will be on the Massachusetts Senate race, between Sen. Scott Brown, who replaced Ted Kennedy after his demise, and Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren. Brown has raised over $3.2 million in the fourth quarter in 2011. Since his Kick-off Reception and Dinner event in May 2011, Brown has had over ten fundraisers, according to Party Time Records.

Although Warren’s fundraising numbers are not in as of yet, she has been busy in 2011 and the beginning of 2012. She rung in the New Year in Salem, Mass., at an event. She also held two joint fundraisers with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and one with Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., last year.

Due to redistricting, Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., and his longtime ally, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., find themselves in a battle for the San Fernando Valley. According to Party Time records, Berman had scheduled nine fundraising events since his 2012 Campaign Kick-off Breakfast in March 2011. His most recent event was a California Wine Tasting, which featured several California lawmakers including, Reps. Xavier Becerra and Joe Baca. Not to be out shined, Rep. Sherman’s list of fundraisers included a dinner featuring former Governor Michael Dukakis.

Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., is another lawmaker who may face some difficulty in his reelection bid due to redistricting. Allen’s district includes the northern edge of Palm Beach County down to north of Hollywood, Fla., in Broward County, which leans democrat. In February, Allen is scheduled to have his 1st Annual Florida Winter Trip. His event starts off with a Sunset Reception on Feb. 18, followed by a Luncheon and Golf Outing and a Mardi Gras Reception on Feb. 21. To purchase a package, which includes two tickets for both Naples and Palm Beach events will cost $2,500.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is hoping to make some gains in the Lone Star State. According to The Hill, the Republican drawn congressional map is more than likely to be thrown out prior to the next election. This would open some seats for Democrats. Two seats they are looking to target are Reps. Francisco “Quico” Canseco and Blake Farenthold. During a briefing at the National Democratic Committee headquarters DCCC Chairman, Rep. Steve Israel, D-Calif., stated that Canseco and Farenthold have “enormous vulnerability.”

Party Time only has one record of a Farenthold fundraiser that was held in June 2011. Rep. Canseco fundraisers include a Patriot Day Reception of June of last year.

Orange Julius – Today, Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., is scheduled to attend the National Orange Show Annual Awards Dinner in San Bernardino, Calif.  To join Baca at this event, tickets range from $5,000 for PACs to $99 for individual contributions. Baca’s fundraiser invitations appear frequently in the Party Time database.

Tuesday Moneymakers – Tuesday is a popular day to fundraise this week for several members of Congress. Legendary R&B singer Chaka Khan is the featured entertainment at an evening concert at the Birchmere, where Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga. plans to raise cash. Cost is $85 for a ticket from Ticketmaster; Johnson is asking donors for $1,500 for one ticket, $2,500 for two.Meanwhile, Reps. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., and Mike Quigley, D-Ill., are planning fundraisers at the Washington Capitals vs. St. Louis Blues hockey game. Stearns’ event is hosted by former Texas Rep. Jack Fields, now a lobbyist for the Twenty-First Century Group, along with an AT&T lobbyist, a Verizon lobbyist, and another with the Glover Park Group. Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., will be hosting a seasonal New York Apple Harvest Reception at the National Democratic Club Townhouse. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C. plans to appear at a dinner fundraiser benefiting Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Tuesday night.

Race for Massachusetts - As the Massachusetts Senate race continues to heat up,  Sen. Scott Brown continues his fundraising efforts on Wednesday as he hosts a breakfast fundraiser. To join Brown for breakfast, tickets start at $2,500 for PACs and $1,000 for individuals.

Big Easy in DC – Bringing Louisiana flavor to the nation’s capitol, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D. La., will be hosting an evening filled with sweets and treats from the Bayou at her Capitol Hill home on Wednesday.

Tired of Turkey, Try Chinese Takeout – If people are tired of Thanksgiving leftovers, they can join Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., on Wednesday for Chinese Takeout. Hosts are lobbyists Dan Mattoon and Mike Zarrelli.

Texas Sized Breakfast – Originally scheduled for October 25, Rep. Silvestre Reyes, R-Texas, breakfast fundraiser has been rescheduled for this Thursday. Former Super Committee Member Rep. Xavier Becerra, R-Calif., is scheduled to attend as a special guest.

Tis’ the Season – As 2011 comes to a close, politicians are scrambling to raise money with holiday cheer. This Thursday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will be hosting a holiday party featuring Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. This fundraiser is to benefit a long list of “Frontline Members,” including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Melvin Watt, D-N.C., and Heath Schuler, D-N.C. will also be hosting holiday themed fundraisers on Thursday. Sewell will be having a holiday cupcakes and cocktails reception; Watt will be hosting a “holiday sip” in the evening; and Shuler will kick-off winter with a Southern reception.

Rep. Gwen Moore, D- Wis.,  is hosting a holiday concert fundraiser featuring American Idol finalist and Wisconsin native Naima Adedapo this Saturday. Attendees can pay $75 for two tickets or $50 for one ticket.

California Dreamin’ – Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., will be at Honorable Tom Reynold’s 19^th Annual Pebble Beach Golf Weekend starting Dec.2-4. The cost is $5,000 per PAC and $2,500 per individual.

Ski Weekend- Sen. Lisa Murkowski will be in Deer Valley, UT for the First Tracks Ski Trip. Murkowski has raised cash while skiing before.

For the complete list of fundraisers this week, check out Party Time.

Harvard professor and Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is scheduled to have a joint fundraiser with Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., on Monday in Philadelphia at the Hyatt at Bellevue. Tickets to the luncheon reception start at $250 for individuals to $10,000 for PACs.

Top Democratic donor Peter Buttenwieser is hosting this event. According to the Huffington Post, Buttenwieser wrote on the invitation, ”I feel honored to have two such bright, principled, exceptional women join us on November 21st. It means a lot to our community. It will ‘grow’ us.”

According to the Federal Election Commission documents, Warren and Baldwin set up a  joint fundraising committee called the Massachusetts Wisconsin Victory Fund in late September.

Showing that she is  the “New Sheriff of Wall Street”, Warren is also having a joint fundraiser with Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Dec. 9 called the “Fighting for Main Street over Wall Street” in Seattle. The Warren-Cantwell event is scheduled to feature a $1,250-per-person “intimate” luncheon at Seattle’s Columbia Tower Club as well as an evening reception at The Paramount Theatre for $40 per person.  The fundraiser is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

According the Boston Globe, the money raised on this night will be split between Warren and Cantwell.

Both Warren and Cantwell have been proponents of regulatory reform of Wall Street. Warren, a financial expert oversaw the 2008 bank bailout and helped establish the newly created Consumer Finance Protection Bureau earlier this year. Cantwell has fought for reform over almost over a decade and voted against the bank bailouts.

Warren also had a fundraising reception on Oct. 19 in New York City’s Upper East Side at the house of Karen Mehiel. Mehiel is the wife of Westchester businessman and former candidate for lieutenant governor, Dennis Mehiel.  According to the New York Observer, investor and philanthropists George Soros and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman were scheduled to attend.

Even though Warren has not won the primary to go against Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., in November, she is highly favored going against the five other Democratic candidates.

Not to be overshadowed, Sen. Scott Brown is also busy fundraising. On Nov. 17, Brown is schedule to attend a luncheon hosted by Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. Tickets for this event are priced at $2,500 – $1,000 for PACs and $1,000-$500 per person. Also, according to Party Time records, Brown had three fundraisers in October. One was a Self-guided Museum Tour and Reception at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment on Oct. 11, a breakfast event with special guest Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Oct. 12 and a dinner on Oct. 19. Brown also had a birthday lunch on Sept. 15.

As this highly watched race gains momentum, Warren has raised $3.15 million during the third quarter, while Brown as raised $1.55 million and $10 million in his campaign account.

Deficit panel-watching lobbyists throwing fundraiser for Orrin Hatch. Four lobbyists at Capitol Tax Partners, all with previous posts on the Senate Finance Committee, are hosting Hatch, R-Utah, the ranking Republican on the committee, for breakfast on Thursday. One of them, Lawrence Willcox, also used to be the senior advisor to the deficit panel’s Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and another, Lindsay Hooper, worked on the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984.

The super committee is considering tackling tax reform, and Capitol Tax Partners lobbies on tax issues for some of nation’s biggest banks, the Federation of American Hospitals, and Amgen, all with stakes in the super committee’s work. Last week, Hatch and the Finance Committee Republicans submitted their formal recommendations to the panel, focusing on Medicare and Medicaid cuts.

Scott Brown hopes third event is a charm. For the third time in eight days, Brown, R-Mass., will hold an event catering to D.C. insiders and this one, being at The Dubliner, might just be Irish-themed. The Wednesday pub reception is for his leadership PAC, and seeks between $250 and $2,500 per head.

Brown will likely be apart of one of 2012’s most closely watched Senate races, with the leading Democrat in the race being consumer advocate and Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren, who is popular with liberals.

The Realtors’ PAC is keeping busy, hosting at least its fourth congressional fundraiser this month. On Thursday it’s Sen. Kay Hagan’s, D-N.C., turn. NAR’s PAC wants to ensure that the super committee lays off the mortgage interest tax deduction, which was cut by the Senate’s Gang of Six in its deficit plan.

Qualcomm officials fete Feinstein. The company’s VP for Government Affairs, Greg Farmer, is opening up his home for a Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., fundraiser Thursday, which also features another company lobbyist, Holly Fechner. Among the issues on the telecom company’s radar is allocating more spectrum for mobile broadband, which President Obama has proposed in his American Jobs Act and the super committee is reportedly considering.

Feinstein faces re-election in 2012, and recently injected $5 million of her own into her campaign after a political consultant embezzled nearly $4.7 million from her account.

Thursday’s breakfast asks for between $1,000 and $5,000 from donors.

This just came in from a trusted source: not an invitation, per se, but an invitation to be listed on an invitation from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney–widely seen as a frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, which provides a window on to how these events are organized.

Romney was trolling (deadline was yesterday) for hosts and co-hosts for an event benefiting his Political Action Committee,  Free & Strong America PAC, on Feb. 11, for bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes. His ask: raise or contribute $1,000 to be a host, $500 to be a co-host.

Romney has used the PAC to contribute to such candidates as the new senator from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, (Romney takes credit for Brown’s win here) as well as GOP leaders such as House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)

I want you to be among the first to know about an upcoming event for the Free and Strong America PAC, featuring Gov. Romney.  On Wednesday, February 17th, Mitt will be in DC and is doing an event for his PAC at 7:00 pm.

I hope you will consider being a Host or Co-Host for this fun event – Bowling with Mitt.  The money raised will go toward the important efforts of Mitt’s Free and Strong America PAC to promote conservative causes and help Republican candidates in 2010.

Are you able to serve as a Host or Co-Host (and have your name listed on the invitation) for the “Bowling with Mitt” event on February 17th? The price to attend will be $150/person, and we are asking Hosts to raise or contribute $1,000 and Co-Hosts to raise or contribute $500.  If you are interested, please e-mail Gretchen Moss at gretchen@gretchenmoss.com, and let us know how you would like your name listed on the invitation. The deadline for getting names on the initial invitation is Monday, February 1st at 5:00 PM.  Please also forward this e-mail to any others that you think may be interested in Hosting or Co-Hosting.  Complete Event details are below:

Bowling with Mitt

and Celebrity Bowlers

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

7:00 pm

Lucky Strike Lanes

Gallery Place

701 7th Street NW
Second Floor

Washington, DC, 20001

Host: Give or raise $1,000

Co-Host: Give or raise $500

Attend: $150

Contributions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires us to obtain and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 per calendar year. By law, the maximum amount an individual may contribute is $5,000 ($10,000 per couple) per calendar year. PACs may also contribute $5,000 per calendar year. Contributions by corporations, foreign nationals (non-green card holders), labor unions, federal government contractors, and minors under the age of 16 are prohibited.

Tweet 0 Comments