Giuliani 'racing' money in N.C.

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0400

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.

Fancy feast to start ag campaign

bkrueger — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:06:59 -0400

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is kicking off his re-election campaign this evening. But the event is not going to evoke images of Old McDonald’s farm.

Tom Smith, the former CEO of the Food Lion grocery chain — and one-time star of his company’s TV ads — is hosting a $500-a-plate dinner on his farm outside Salisbury, Rob Christensen reports. About 300 people are expected to show up to enjoy beef brisket and pork roast.

The special guest at the event will be former NASCAR driver Richard Childress, a prosperous businessman who owns a vineyard and a cattle farm.

Troxler, a Republican, won a squeaker in 2004 over Democrat Britt Cobb.