Prestonburg event central to House Democratic fundraising efforts

House Democrats expect to tap into a reliable base of financial support in eastern Kentucky tonight, when the House Democratic Caucus holds its first fundraiser of the 2008 election cycle in Prestonburg.

The Caucus’ Prestonburg event has served the organization well in recent years, according to Caucus director Jonathan Hurst.

“This is traditionally our best fundraiser,” said Hurst. “We always turn to eastern Kentucky to help us.”

Unlike many fundraisers, there is no required admission charge for tonight’s event at the Stonecrest Golf Club in Prestonburg. However, pre-arranged sponsors and a group of hosts with significant clout in the Commonwealth give the caucus high hopes for the evening.

“We haven’t set any goals, but it’ll be an extremely successful fundraiser for us,” said caucus director Jonathan Hurst.

The event is being held in close proximity to the residence of former Attorney General, 2007 candidate for lieutenant governor and current state Rep. Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonburg). Along with Stumbo, the event will be hosted by caucus chair and state Rep. Charlie Hoffman (D-Georgetown) and Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins (D-Sandy Hook).

Hurst told PolitickerKY.com that Adkins’ efforts as a fundraiser especially boost the prospects of the event.

“Rocky sort of takes it over and organizes it,” said Hurst. “Fundraising is his forte. He’s very good at it.”

If predictions of a big-money evening ring true, the House Democratic Caucus will add to an already advantageous fundraising position. The organization has shown its significant fundraising clout earlier this year, with the latest filings showing it held more cash on hand than its Republican and Democratic counterparts for the state House and Senate.

Hurst said that advantage is because of events like tonight’s Prestonburg fundraiser.

“We clearly have outraised everyone, and it’s because of events like this,” said Hurst. “We certainly do turn to it for its success.”

Tonight’s event is the first of six scheduled fundraisers for the House Democratic Caucus, with details for the rest of the events expected to be announced soon.

The House Democratic Caucus, which serves to recruit and elect Democratic candidates, is hoping to maintain and expand its 63 to 37 majority in the state House this year.