Fundraiser

Rudy GiulianiFormer New York City Mayor and one time Republican presidential frontrunner Rudolph Giuliani will be in the area to headline a fundraiser for Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) on August 25. Giuliani's turn for Reichert coincides with his participation in a motivational seminar at Seattle's Key Arena on the same day.

Money has been a major issue in the 8th District race so far, with Democratic challenger Darcy Burner (D-Carnation), who just had a fundraiser with House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), outraising Reichert so far. Through the end of July, Burner had raised $2.3 million to Reichert's $1.8 million, and their cash on hand difference is about the same as their contribution difference.

Summer fundraisers with high-profile national figures are commonplace, especially for incumbents with a challenger hot on their heels, like U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert with Newt Gingrich on Father's Day this or President Bush last year.

But when Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, comes to town this Thursday to raise money for Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, things will be different.

For starters, Mrs. Obama isn't running for, nor has she ever held any office. But more importantly, this fundraiser has seating for 1600.

Michelle Obama: Getty ImagesPotential future first lady Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, is coming to Seattle this summer to host a fundraiser for Gov. Chris Gregoire. The event will take place at the WaMu Theater at Qwest Field in Seattle July 17, 2008 at noon.

"When Barack Obama is elected president, our state will have a partner in the White House - a leader who will support our fight to provide children healthcare, take on climate change and help working families," Gregoire said in a press release about the event.

Rep. John BoehnerU.S. House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) will be the featured guest at a fundraiser for Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) later this month. The June 28 event will be the second major Reichert benefit of the month, with former Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) in town for a Father's Day event this Sunday.

Boehner will appear at a $100 a plate breakfast at the Bellevue Westin, helping Reichert stock up for what looks to be an expensive race in a rematch with Democrat Darcy Burner (D-Carnation). Burner has been outraising Reichert of late, and her campaign continues to use instances like these to tie Reichert to prominent national Republicans, despite his efforts to paint himself as a moderate in the purple-tinged 8th Congressional District.

"First Bush in August last year and the first lady in February. Now Gingrich this Sunday and Boehner on the 28th," Burner spokesman Sandeep Kaushik said of Reichert's past and future fundraising events. "For a guy who is working to position himself publicly as an independent -- notably, his campaign web site seems scrubbed of any easily discernable references to Reichert being a Republican -- he seems to have close ties to Republican leaders in DC."

Washington's two main gubernatorial candidates will be trotting out some local-boys-done-good for fundraising events this week.

 Tuesday in Vancouver Republican Dino Rossi will hold a fundraiser with the former Prairie High School and Gonzaga University basketball standout Dan Dickau, who current plays for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. The Dickau event includes a $500 per person VIP reception and a $150 general reception.

Then on Friday at 8PM, Gov. Chris Gregoire will appear with popular Seattle indie rock band The Cave Singers at Neumo's in Seattle. Tickets for the show are $15.

SEATTLE - In what was dubbed the formal campaign kickoff for Governor Chris Gregoire's re-election, likely the final piece ofGov. Gregoire greets supporters in Seattle the ignition that begin on a bus tour in Auburn earlier this month, more than 1300 people ate lunch and contributed to the campaign at Seattle's Westin Hotel. The event, which doubled as a fundraiser, charged between $100 for a "Silver Level" ticket up to $2800 to be a "Chris' Crew Member". Free tickets were also available to supporters unable to donate at the silver level.

But yesterday's fundraiser luncheon was very different from any of the bus tour kickoff events, highlighted by local dignitaries and a short stump speech by Gregoire before hopping back on the bus and on to the next town. This time the speech was revamped, video screens flanked the stage with images of Gregoire with the Dalai Lama and a new campaign video, and the dignitary came from out of state in the form of New Mexico Governor and former Presidential candidate, U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson.

First came a Democratic Presidential candidate who fell short of the mark, as Governor Chris Gregoire announced last week she would host a fundraiser featuring special guest Bill Richardson, the New Mexico Governor and fourth place finisher in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

Now Gregoire has the help of the "real deal," 2004 nominee and current Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. PolitickerWA.com has obtained an e-mail sent to Kerry's supporters asking for their financial support to help Gregoire's re-election campaign.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will be heading to Seattle later this month for a fundraising lunch for his governing colleague Chris Gregoire. Dubbed a "campaign kickoff fundraiser", the event will be held at the Westin on Monday, April 28. 

The invitation for the event comes along with the slogan "Taking on challenges. Getting Results." It also highlights a few of the campaign's main policy talking points with statistics for new jobs and children's health care.

Karl Rove will be in town tomorrow, March 27, for a fundraiser benefitting the state Republican Party and Dino Rossi. The event will be at a swanky eastside (of Lake Washington) private abode. For a mere $1,000 you too can have a photo with the discredited half of Bush's brain.