House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) will headline a Washington, D.C., fundraiser later this month for retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard (R), who is seeking to build a war chest for his campaign against Rep. Jim Marshall (D).

The event comes as former Rep. Mac Collins (R) still has not ruled out another run against Marshall and is a sign that Republican leaders are ready to stand solidly behind Goddard as the party’s preferred nominee against Marshall. GOP leaders have tried unsuccessfully to recruit Goddard to run in the past.

The June 21 event will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Club. Suggested contributions are $1,000 for political action committees and $500 for individuals.

The race in the 8th district is expected to be a major battleground next fall. Marshall is a top target for Republicans after he won re-election in 2006 by less than 2,000 votes against Collins.

— Lauren W. Whittington