DeLay fundraiser hopes to PAC house

Event is first in about 2 months for majority leader's committee

7 Jun 2005 // Setting aside his troubles for a few hours, Majority Leader Tom DeLay plans a high-dollar "wine and cigar" fundraiser Wednesday night for his political action committee.

The reception at an office a few blocks from the Capitol is Americans for a Republican Majority's first event since a dinner about two months ago. Ticket prices run from $1,000 per person to $5,000 for a sponsor.

It was unclear who is on the invitation list or how much money Mr. DeLay hopes to raise. A spokesman in his congressional office declined to comment, referring calls to ARMPAC. The committee's director, Jim Ellis, did not respond to requests to discuss the event.

Mr. Ellis and two other DeLay lieutenants are under indictment in Austin on charges of violating Texas' ban on corporate campaign donations in connection with another related DeLay-backed organization, Texans For a Republican Majority. All deny wrongdoing. A state district judge has promised to rule by month's end on the defendants' request to throw out the charges, which backers call politically motivated.

Mr. DeLay is expected to face a House ethics inquiry regarding overseas trips arranged by lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Conservative backers threw a tribute dinner for Mr. DeLay last month.

ARMPAC raised about $94,000 in April, the last month for which figures were available, and $390,000 in the first four months of the year. Last year, the committee took in nearly $1.6 million. Since 1994, the committee has raised $13.3 million.

Carl Forti, spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said he wasn't aware of the ARMPAC event but noted it's natural for congressional leaders to regularly raise PAC funds. Mr. DeLay, through the PAC, has donated to nearly every House Republican's campaign fund.

"If you look at anyone currently in leadership or those aspiring to leadership, that's where they [the potential leaders] start, is giving money to candidates and other members, as a means of garnering good will," Mr. Forti said.