Boehner launches fundraising drive

WASHINGTON - With less than 30 days to Election Day, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-West Chester) is launching a fundraising road trip to benefit GOP House candidates across the country, according to a Republican source familiar with Boehner's plans.

After wrapping up business in the House last week, Boehner set out to help several GOP candidates running in Texas. On Saturday he hosted a fundraising reception for U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, who is facing a long shot challenge from Democrat Larry Joe Doherty in Texas' 10th Congressional District. Today, Boehner is scheduled to host an event for Lyle Larson, who is running to unseat U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez in the 23rd Congressional District.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Boehner is scheduled to host events for Jay Love and Rick Goddard, Republicans who find themselves in dogfights against Democrats in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District and Georgia's 8th Congressional District, respectively. Boehner will also host an event for the Georgia Republican Party.

On Friday and Saturday Boehner is scheduled to head to Florida, where he will hold a fundraising lunch for U.S. Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, south Florida brothers in neighboring districts who find themselves in difficult re-election races. Boehner will also host an event for Tom Rooney, who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) in the state's 16th Congressional District.

Next week, Boehner is scheduled to travel to Minnesota, where he will host events for Republicans Brian Davis and Erik Paulsen, candidates in the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts. The minority leader will also head to Illinois for events benefitting Martin Ozinga and U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk. Ozinga is running to replace U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, while Kirk is fighting to fend off a challenge from Democrat Dan Seals.