Obama to attend high dollar fundraiser in Minneapolis

WASHINGTON - Minnesota will once again host some of the nation's top Democrats, including President Barack Obama, as they seek to fill party's coffers ahead of what's expected to be a tough midterm election season.

According to an invitation obtained by MPR News, Obama will attend an event next month benefiting the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee which seeks to elect Democrats to the U.S. House, The fundraiser will be held at the Minneapolis home of Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and DCCC Chair Steve Israel will also attend, the invitation promised. 1st District Rep. Tim Walz runs the DCCC's Frontline program to protect vulnerable incumbents. 7th District Rep. Collin Peterson and 8th District Rep. Rick Nolan face potentially competitive races this fall from Republican challengers.

The Kaplans are major Democratic donors who have contributed $400,000 to the party and its candidates over the years, according to data compiled by the Sunlight Foundation. Sam Kaplan, a lawyer, served as U.S. Ambassador to Morocco from 2009 to 2013.

The minimum contribution to attend the event is $10,000 per person though those giving $32,400 per couple will be part of the "Speaker's Cabinet."

Obama last visited Minnesota in February when he promoted greater spending on infrastructure projects at St. Paul's Union Depot. He's also been in the state regularly over the years for fundraising events in the Twin Cities.

Here's the invitation:

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.