VA Gov. Tim Kaine added to Unity ’08 guest list

Gov. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia): NGA PhotoVirginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has been added to the Maryland Democratic Party’s Victory ’08 Unity Fundraiser guest list.

“We’re very excited that Gov. Tim Kaine will be joining the fun at our Victory ’08 Unity Fundraiser on July 30th. This is exactly the kind of history-making energy and enthusiasm for change we’ve seen for many months in Maryland and across America,” said state Democartic Party Chair Michael Cryor in a statement.

Kaine is the third out-of-state elected official to announce he will be attending the state party’s July 30 fundraiser. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty are also scheduled to make an appearance.

Earlier today, Chris Cillizza, a top political analyst for the Washington Post, ranked Kaine number one on his list of potential vice presidential candidates for Barack Obama. Kaine was an early supporter of the Illinois senator.

In addition to Kaine, Rendell and Fenty, the following state Party leaders have committed to attend:

• Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore)
• Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D- Prince George’s County)
• Attorney General Doug Gansler (D)
• Comptroller Peter Franchot (D)
• U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Baltimore)
• U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Baltimore)
• U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Baltimore)
• U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville)
• U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Townson)
• U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D- Baltimore County)
• U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington)
• U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington)

According to state Democratic Party Commutations Director David Paulson, about 1,000 individuals total are expected to attend the Unity ’08 fundraiser. The event was designed as a mechanism to raise money for the state party in order to “take back the White House and Make it eight in ’08.” Admission will be $50 per ticket and VIPs will pay $1,000 and up.