President Pelosi travels to Chicago for a Democratic fundraiser; great RNC donor summer retreat in the city
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WASHINGTON — The COVID in-person political fundraising hiatus is over, and I have a full Chicago-related roundup for you, starting with a double play next week by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, always a big draw for the Chicago-area Democrat donors.
PELOSI AT THE HEAD OF THE LANDLORD
Chairman Joe Biden headlined a mega backer for the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday with Governor JB Pritzker, but the well is far from dry. Pelosi returns next Thursday for a fundraiser to benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the House political boutique chaired by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, who will also be in attendance, along with Democratic Rep. Illinois Robin Kelly, chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. ; Raja Krishnamoorthi; Jan Schakowski; Brad Schneider and Democratic donors Stephen Schuler and Andrea Schuler.
According to an invitation obtained by the Sun-Times, the price of the event ranges from $5,000 to $50,000.
SCHAKOWSKY’S POWERFUL ENERGY LUNCH WITH PELOSI, EMHOFF, DEMINGS
Next Friday, Schakowsky’s annual “Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch” event – it’s the 21stst — is back live for the first time since 2019 and is poised to be, once again, one of the biggest fundraising events in the state.
It can also be called the ultimate professional, political, and personal networking event for women, because the crowd that Schakowsky attracts — in addition to elected officials and candidates — includes some of the best-connected people.
Ben Head, Schakowsky’s political director, told me more than 1,000 attendees are expected with three headliners: Pelosi, of California, who was Schakowsky’s 2019 draw; First Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., leaving the House for a Senate race in a crucial swing state.
Schakowsky, of Evanston, attracts elected officials and candidates to his giant fundraiser because they want to try and expand their own base of contributors by tapping into his pool of donors.
Donor levels range from $100 to $5,800 for the donor, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
DELIA RAMIREZ IN DC
State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, hits Capitol Hill Monday for a funder to benefit her Democratic primary bid where Ald. Gilles Villegas (36)and) is her main rival in the new 3rd District fired to give a new member of the Hispanic House.
The tab ranges from $50 to $1,000.
Hosts include Representatives Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Schakowsky from the Illinois delegation as well as Representatives Mark Pocan from Wisconsin; Mondaire Jones, New York; Lucille Roybal-Allard, California; Nydia Velazquez, New York; Pramila Jayapal, Washington; Sylvia Garcia, Texas; and Teresa Leger-Fernandez, New Mexico.
Ramirez will also do donor prospecting while in DC, meeting with Democratic allied groups.
She’ll get another assist from Chicago’s Garcia, who backed Ramirez.
Prior to his event, Ramirez will stop by Garcia’s own backer, which will be held, according to the invitation, at the BOLD PAC townhouse near the Capitol. BOLD PAC is the political operation of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and attending Garcia’s event gives Ramirez a chance to expand his fundraising network.
BOLD PAC is not going to endorse the contest featuring two Hispanics in a safe Democratic neighborhood.
TRUMP’S MAGA WING IN ILLINOIS
Russia kills Ukrainians every day in its unprovoked war. That’s not stopping an Illinois MAGA candidate in the GOP Senate primary from running next Friday against a backer, retired Lt. Gen. Flynn — a former national security adviser to President Donald Trump. convicted of lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia.
Flynn, pardoned by Trump, front-page backer close to O’Hare for GOP Senate primary candidate Robert “Bobby” Piton. Piton, from Geneva, is an election denier who participated in the Trump-powered Cyber Ninja election audit in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Flynn is complaining now because he says the Department of Defense is trying to claw back the $38,000 he received from the Russians in 2015 for a speaking gig – where he sat next to Vladimir Putin during a a dinner.
Piton is one of seven Republicans in the GOP Senate primary. The “Fight Like A Flynn” price ranges from $150 to $250.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE MAJOR DONORS RETREAT IN CHICAGO
Top RNC donors – at the top performing “Investor” level – are invited to an RNC Summer Retreat to be held June 24-26 in Chicago. It will be an important showcase for GOP House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates as Republicans head into November midterms with momentum on their side.
This is a national event hosted by RNC President Ronna McDaniel; co-chair Tommy Hicks; and finance chairman Duke Buchan along with several of the RNC’s top contenders, and according to an invite obtained by the Sun-Times, former senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., chairman of the Republican National Senate Committee, the GOP’s Senate political boutique, is also on the “special guest” list.