The state’s Democratic congressional delegation hosted a fundraiser this morning in Washington for Daniel Johnson, a candidate for the 10th Congressional District seat.

Johnson is challenging Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville in November.

The fundraiser was held at Tortilla Coast, a popular restaurant about a block from the House row of office buildings on Capitol Hill. Most tickets ranged from $250 to $1,000 a plate, though House staffers could get in for $100, reports Barb Barrett.

The event was hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and its chairman, Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with U.S. Reps. David Price, Bob Etheridge, Mel Watt, Heath Shuler, Brad Miller and G.K. Butterfield.

Of Tar Heel representatives, only U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre’s name was omitted. Spokesman Dean Mitchell said McIntyre was a host, but that the invitation was sent before the office’s official approval. McIntyre was not able to attend.

State Republicans jumped on the fundraiser as proof that Johnson is a Washington-backed politician. GOP Chairwoman Linda Daves today wrote Johnson a letter:

Only a few days after issuing a patently false press release claiming that your pockets have not been stuffed with cash from Washington liberals and attacking Congressman McHenry for pointing that out, I am shocked and appalled to discover that you are in Washington today for a fundraiser hosted by several liberal, Washington politicians.

You owe Congressman McHenry and the people of Western North Carolina an apology.

Larry Kissell had a hard time getting Washington Democrats to return his calls last year.

But after watching Kissell, a Montgomery County school teacher, lose to Republican U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes by only 329 votes, the D.C. Democrats have changed their tune, Rob Christensen reports.

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, held a conference call last week trying to line up Democratic donors for Kissell’s rematch next year. He also sent out an email asking for help for Kissell.

"North Carolina’s 8th district is a priority for us at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee," Van Hollen writes. "We are committed to doing everything we can to get Larry elected, and we need you to make that same commitment."

More after the jump.

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