Jim Culbertson will soon be packing his bags.

The Bush Ranger and Winston-Salem businessman will be heading to the Netherlands. The U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed his appointment as ambassador to the country, Barb Barrett reports.

Culbertson is the former president and chief executive officer of Financial Computing Inc.

He collected more than $200,000 for President Bush in 2004, making him one of the president’s top fund raisers. He and his wife, Germaine, have given $34,300 to Republican candidates and committees since 1994, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be Raleigh next month as part of a series of fundraisers in North Carolina.

The GOP presidential candidate will attend a fundraiser at the home of Raleigh business executive Dwayne Long on Dec. 3. Earlier in the day, Giuliani will hold fundraisers in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Pinehurst, reports Rob Christensen.

"I’ll be disappointed if we don’t raise a couple of hundred thousand dollars,” said Jim Culbertson, a Winston-Salem businessman who is Giuliani’s state campaign chairman.

Giuliani will be in Charlotte Wednesday night for a fundraiser.

Rudy Giuliani will hold a NASCAR-flavored fundraiser next week in Charlotte.

Brian France, owner of NASCAR is hosting a fundraiser for the former New York City mayor on November 7th, according to Jim Culbertson, the Winston-Salem businessman who is Giuliani's state chairman.

The cocktail reception will be held at the home of Jennifer Frances Bates and Ward Bates with costs ranging from $1,000 per person to $2,300 per person for a photograph, Rob Christensen reports.

Culberston said hoped the event would raise "a couple of hundred thousand" dollars. He said some of the racing figures who have given to Giuliani include Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress and NASCAR's top two drivers, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

This is the second North Carolina fund raiser for Giuliani. One was held for the GOP presidential candidate in Greensboro in April.