Fundraising for caretaker organizations is always more enjoyable with friends.  

Just ask newly minted besties Rep. Gerald E. Connolly and WWE icon Hulk Hogan.  

“It was a lot of fun meeting him,” the Virginia Democrat said of squeezing into a pic with the former wrestling champ. The Hulkster was in town this past weekend to serve as grand marshal of the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Hogan, Connolly said, made himself available to anyone and everyone on hand to help quash breast cancer. “He was very engaging,” Connolly asserted, stressing that he appreciated having the veteran entertainer call attention to the life-saving initiative.  

“This is very personal to us as an office,” Connolly said, noting his organizational structure has rallied to the cause on behalf of legislative director Dominic Bonaiuto; his wife, Jessica, died in March 2011 after tussling with the disease.  

“We all kind of went through the illness with her,” Connolly said of the galvanizing experience. The ensuing outpouring of support has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the teams’ repeated recognition as one of the largest and most committed congressional fundraisers (Connolly’s Cruisers ) around.  

Connolly mentioned that immediately following last weekend’s race, his crew hustled back across the river and wound up taking top honors in a charity event benefitting the Virginia Special Olympics.  

As for his networking prowess, Connolly said his wife, Catherine, suggested just one minor change.  

“She said the caption should read, ‘Who’s the real Hulk?’” he told HOH. “She meant that ironically, of course.”  

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