U.S. House Speaker John Boehner helped U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann raise more than $200,000 Thursday evening at a Chattanooga fundraiser, reports the Times-Free Press. That was more than what Fleischmann collected between July and September.
“I’m very, very thankful,” Fleischmann said after the event. “It was a tremendous outpouring of support.”
A source close to the campaign confirmed the $200,000 figure, saying the final tally likely will fall between $215,000 and $225,000. In a previous interview, Fleischmann spokesman Jordan Powell said the campaign hoped to raise $125,000 at the two-hour event, which included talks from Boehner and Fleischmann, both Republicans.
All the money will go toward Fleischmann’s re-election efforts, including consulting, direct mail, polling and radio and television advertisements in Knoxville and Chattanooga, the congressman said.
“Some folks I serve with have a four-media market,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for some of them sometimes to pay $1 million for media in a week.”
Paul Smith, chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, said the fundraiser proves “big money is buying America today.”
“Corporate America is now running America,” he said.
Fleischmann’s staff did not allow reporters into the Walden Club fundraising event, and Boehner declined an interview request through a spokesman. But Fleischmann and two donors described the scene after festivities ended at 8 p.m.
….About 125 people attended the dinner, including at least one elected official — state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Chattanooga.
The day included dissent. A few dozen protesters from Occupy Chattanooga stood near the Bank of America building throughout the day, holding posters bearing funny (Shave Off Your Apathy), political (Banks Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out) and threatening (Beat Bankers Into Plowshares) messages.
Most drivers passed the protesters without a reaction, but Saturns and Lexuses alike honked in support every few minutes. Sometimes hand gestures emerged from the driver’s side window.