‘Dubya’ comes to Philly to raise cash for Toomey

    Former President George W. Bush speaks during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington

    Former President George W. Bush speaks during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington

    Former President George W. Bush will be in Philadelphia Friday morning to raise campaign money for Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.

    The event at the Union League in Center City includes a “VIP photo session” and a luncheon. It’s closed to the media, as are many political fundraisers.

    “He’s going to raise a lot of money,” said insurance executive and GOP fundraiser Manuel Stamatakis, a member of the host committee for the event. “I ask people for money all the time, but I’ve had people calling me, unsolicited, saying they want to contribute to Pat Toomey.”

    The first-term Toomey is in a tough re-election battle with Democratic challenger Katie McGinty, and his campaign has been getting help from many national groups anxious to help the GOP maintain control of the Senate.

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    Tickets to lunch are $1,000. A contribution of $2,500 gets you priority seating and a photo with the former president.

    With no limit to what donors can contribute, 21 have committed to give or raise at least $10,000, earning them a seat on the host committee.

    The money goes to the Toomey Pennsylvania Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee which will distribute the funds to Toomey’s campaign committee,  and three other political committees.

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