Steele to headline fundraiser for Northup in KY-3

Former U.S. Rep Anne Northup (R-Louisville) is bringing in a little out-of-state fundraising help to aid in her bid to regain the 3rd Congressional District seat she lost in 2006.

Former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele will touch down in Kentucky for a June 18 lunch-hour fundraiser for Northup.

"Michael Steele is a very well-respected Republican in our party," said Scott Will, Northup's campaign manager. "He understands the importance of this race. He has been helping out other Republicans throughout the country and we are happy to have him in Louisville."

Steel - the first African-American elected to a statewide office in Maryland - unsuccessfully sought one of Maryland's U.S. Senate seats in 2006.

Presently, Steele is the chair of GOPAC, a political action committee organized to "train" Republican candidates for office.

The fundraiser will be held at the Seelbach Hilton in downtown Louisville at 11:30, on June 18. Contribution levels for attendees range from between $500 to $2,300.

Northup's campaign indicated Steele's visit is a sign that further attention will be paid to the race by high-profile, national Republicans.

"In terms of the importance of the race and how heavily-targeted it is, Michael Steele's visit is a sign of things to come for this campaign," said Will.

Northup was unseated after five terms in Congress by now-U.S. Rep John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) in 2006. Her rematch against Yarmuth this year is targeted by both the Democratic and Republican Congressional campaign committees.