Gov. Bev Perdue will host a Democratic Governor's Association conference in Charlotte this week that is expected to raise $2 million for the party's coffers.
The event, which begins Thursday night, will attract Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
The event includes public policy discussions centered on technology. But is also a fund raiser designed to build a war chest for the Democrats to help elect Democratic governors. The DGA has commitments for $2 million for the event, according to Richard Sullivan of Raleigh, who is the group's treasurer.
Perdue, who is vice chairman of the chair of the group, would have been one of the beneficiaries of the fund raiser if she had sought re-election. Presumably, the Democratic nominee for governor will likely see some benefit from the funds.
Perdue hosted a similar fund raiser/conference fund raiser at the Umstead Hotel in Cary in 2010 in which she raised $1.2 million. Because there are no limits to contributions to party committees like the DGA, Duke Energy gave $100,000, Progress Energy gave $50,000, AT&T gave $100,000, $35,000 from CSX, and $25,000 from Wells Fargo to the Cary event.
The Charlotte events will start with panel discussions at the Westin Hotel, include a reception at the Duke Energy Center, breakfast at the Mint Museum Uptown, and a closing lunch at the Westin.
