A rising star in the Democratic Party plans to help Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) raise money for his reelection campaign next month at a pair of Vermont fundraisers.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), the former mayor of Newark and a potential vice presidential pick, is scheduled to headline a reception May 2 at the Burlington home of Sarah Muyskens and Michael Green. According to Leahy aide Carolyn Dwyer, the senators plan to “promote their work on criminal justice reform” while collecting cash for Leahy’s eighth Senate campaign.
“There is no question Sen. Leahy’s leadership in the fight to secure a vote on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee makes him a target for the conservative super PACs that have already spent over $2.5 million on the New Hampshire Senate race,” Dwyer says, referring to her boss’ role as ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Sen. Leahy has never taken an election for granted and will raise the resources necessary to respond to whatever his opponents and the conservative groups throw his way.”
Hosts of the reception include many members of Chittenden County’s political elite, according to an invitation obtained by Seven Days: Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan, Rep. Mary Sullivan (D-Burlington), City Councilor Karen Paul, former gubernatorial chief of staff Liz Miller and former Vermont Democratic Party chair Jake Perkinson among them. The suggested donation is $100 to $250 per guest.
The Leahy campaign has been hitting up the state’s lobbying corps, too. Three registered Vermont lobbyists told Seven Days they received invitations from Dwyer to attend. Hosts of the reception also include contract lobbyist David Mickenberg and University of Vermont Health Network vice president Theresa Alberghini DiPalma, a former Leahy aide and registered lobbyist.
Some were also invited to a more exclusive, $1,000-per-person dinner to follow the reception.
“The dinner is a small, informal gathering, a mix of friends and supporters,” Dwyer says. “It is not strictly a fundraiser [though] some who have expressed interest in supporting the senator’s reelection efforts were given a suggested contribution.”
Leahy reported having $2.7 million in his campaign account at the end of 2015. In the five years since he was last reelected, he has raised $2.9 million, $956,000 of which came from political action committees. He currently faces no opposition, though 2014 Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Milne has expressed interest in the race.
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Doesn’t Leahy usually spend about $85 on his campaigns?
Doesn’t he already have a gazillion dollars in his coffers?
Six years ago I thought Leahy had lost a step or two.
It’s time for him to step down and pass the torch to Peter Welsh.
Leahy announces his super-delegate vote will go for Clinton no matter how Vermont votes…. now he brings in Clinton fan-boy Cory Booker to help him raise money and surrounds himself with party machinery at the state level. He is hurting in the polls because of his lack of supper for Vermont and the voters who overwhelmingly support our other Senator as President of the United States. If the DNC doesn’t put up other candidates that appeal to independent Vermonters they will likely regret it on voting day. I used to be a Leahy supporter.
Hillary Clinton could use some financial help from this gathering. It’s time for Sen. Leahy to retire and give another person a turn in the Senate. He does not need more funds.
Bout time Leahy and Sanders need to be put out to pasture.. They are both useless to Vermonters.. They only care about DC where they are right in with the greedy millionaires..They don’t care about us and you’re fools if you think either one does..Neither cares about our Veterans..Vt’s VA is treating our Vets like shit.. It was on the news, a Vet had to wait 15 mos to be seen..
That greedy bastard Weinberger is on his list too and he has proven what he stands for.
Please state your evidence that Mayor Weinberger is “greedy.”