Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., will host a fundraiser in Burlington during the peak of fall foliage, offering donors local meals, farmer’s market trips and a hike for a suggested donation of $5,000.
The money raised will go to the Leahy Green Mountain Committee, which can disburse contributions to multiple campaign organizations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The committee mostly distributes money to Leahy’s campaign committee as well as the Green Mountain Political Action Committee, a Montpelier-based leadership PAC that supports elections of Democratic candidates in Vermont, primarily other U.S. Senators and other federal candidates. The PAC has also supported Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Patty Murray of Washington, among others.
In 2013 and 2014 total disbursements from the PAC were $700,000.
Leahy’s official campaign committee has $2.2 million on hand for the 2016 election, according to the most recent report filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Leahy’s fall foliage fundraiser, which will take place the weekend of Oct. 2-4, includes a sunset reception on Lake Champlain and “farm-to-table” meals.
Organizers of the fundraising event declined to provide any more details about the event.
In March, Leahy held a similar fundraiser at an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C., offering a reception and dinner for $5,000, according to the Sunlight Foundation.
Leahy, who is 75, is expected to seek his eighth six-year term in 2016.
CORRECTION: This story originally included incorrect numbers from the Center for Responsive Politics. In addition, descriptions of the committee’s activities were inaccurate. Leahy is seeking an eighth, not a ninth term.
