GOP plans fund-raising trips

Monday, July 17, 2000 | 11:43 a.m.

Big-name Republicans are planning visits to the Silver State to raise campaign donations and narrow a fund-raising gap with House Democrats.

Jack Kemp, a vice presidential candidate in 1996, is scheduled to visit Las Vegas on July 24 to raise money for the Nevada Republican Party's Victory 2000 fund.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., has a Nevada swing planned for Aug. 8, after the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.

Hastert's plan includes stops in northern Nevada, where he will help House candidate Jon Porter raise money at the Lake Tahoe home of Bruce James, GOP state treasurer. Then Hastert travels to Las Vegas, where he hopes to raise $500,000 for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Rep. Rick Lazio, R-N.Y., is tentatively set to visit Las Vegas Aug. 9 as part of a 16-city tour of Western states to fatten his coffers in his battle for a Senate seat against first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. State Sen. Randolph Townsend is hosting Lazio in his Green Valley home.

As of June 30, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported it has nearly twice as much cash on hand as its Republican equivalent.

The Democratic organization reported $37.4 million cash on hand and the Republican committee reported $22.2 million.

Democratic committee spokesman John Del Cecato said with the $15 million cash advantage, House Democrats will be able to compete at a level never before seen.

Meanwhile, Rory Reid, chairman of Nevada's Democratic Party, said he doesn't think the middle of the summer is the best time to raise money.

"We're focusing on the fall," he said, declining to release any big Democratic names for events.