Miller Plans Inside-the-Beltway Jaunt to Follow the Money
Alaska Republican Senate nominee Joe Miller has a full slate of Washington, D.C., fundraisers and other meetings with GOP leaders and rank-and-file Members scheduled for next week, according to an invite sent to downtown lobbyists.
The events include a Sept. 29 reception with 13 GOP Senators set to attend, including Minority Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas).
Also on Miller’s docket is an Oct. 1 breakfast at Johnny’s Half Shell restaurant hosted by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.). Miller has at least four more events scheduled for next week.
The Fairbanks attorney defeated Sen. Lisa Murkowski last month in the Alaska GOP Senate primary. Murkowski, however, announced Friday that she would remain in the race and seek re-election as a write-in candidate. Republican leaders and most rank-and-file GOP Senators are backing Miller — as are most lobbyists, who don’t want to incur the wrath of the party’s leadership.
“I’m sure you heard over the weekend that Senator Murkowski decided she will pursue a write-in campaign after participating and losing in the Alaska Republican primary,” read an invite to Miller’s various events from Mike Gula, the candidate’s D.C.-based political action committee fundraiser.
“I will tell you straight — Leader McConnell and NRSC Chairman Cornyn stand firmly behind Joe Miller,” the invite said.
Among the 13 Republicans listed as attending the evening reception for Miller on Sept. 29 are Sens. John Barrasso (Wyo.), Kit Bond (Mo.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Jim DeMint (S.C.), James Inhofe (Okla.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Judd Gregg (N.H.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Johnny Isakson (Ga.) and John McCain (Ariz.).
Murkowski resigned her position as Republican Conference vice chairwoman on Friday, just prior to announcing her write-in bid.