Victory '08 fundraiser brings in over $100K

Unity '08 fundraiser: Politicker Photo

BALTIMORE - The Maryland Democratic Party held their Victory '08 Unity Fundraiser Wednesday evening. Tickets to the event were priced at $50 and VIP was $1,000 and up.

According to Communications Director David Paulson, the state party wanted to host an event that "mirrored Barack Obama's fundraising approach."

Notable guests included:

• Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell
• Gov. Martin O'Malley
• Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown
• Attorney General Doug Gansler
• Comptroller Peter Franchot
• U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin
• U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings
• U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer
• U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes
• U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger
• U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards
• U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen
• State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller
• State Sen. Ulysses Currie
• State Sen Rob Gargiola
• State Del. Susan Lee
• State Del. Kirill Reznik
• Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon
• State's Attorney Frank Kratovil
• Former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty

Barack Obama's Presidential campaign dominated the evening's theme.

Rendell, who made an early and brief speech, emphasized the need for Obama and Clinton supporters to unite.

"And when the day comes that we have a winner, I'm issuing an executive order," Rendell said, referencing an event he spoke at prior to the end of the Democratic primaries. "The losers have 10 days to be pissed off, 10 days to pout about it, 10 days to be angry and frustrated. And then after those 10 days we all came together..."

O'Malley stressed the need for cross state campaigning efforts.

"We can send troops to Pennsylvania, we can send troops to Virginia, we can send troops to West Virginia and we're going to secure Maryland for the future of our country," said O'Malley.

"This is a campaign for the future of America," said Cummings in his address. "We've gotta get Lottie, Tottie, and everybody to vote. We've got to register as many people to vote as we possibly can."

According to Paulson, over 1,000 individuals attended the event, which grossed over $100,000. He also noted the money raised would be spent entirely on the U.S. House and Presidential elections.