Vice President Joe Biden will headline a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. John Spratt next week during a visit to Columbia.
Biden will be in town July 23 to help dedicate the new Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library at the University of South Carolina. Completed in June, the $18 million library is named in honor of the retired Democratic U.S. senator from South Carolina, a close friend of Biden's.
An afternoon fundraiser for Spratt will take place at the South Carolina State Museum, the York Democrat's office confirmed late Tuesday. Ticket availability and prices were not available.
"The vice president is coming for the dedication of the Hollings library and graciously offered to appear at my fundraiser as an aside," Spratt said through a spokesman. "I'm grateful for his gesture and look forward to the event."
Spratt faces state Sen. Mick Mulvaney, R-Indian Land, in the Nov. 2 election.
The fundraiser is the latest sign of how the White House is supporting Spratt, chairman of the House Budget Committee, as it seeks to maintain a Democratic majority in the House.
In April, Spratt accompanied President Barack Obama to Charlotte aboard Air Force One. TV images showed Obama bounding down the steps of the plane, trailed closely by a man in a slightly rumpled suit carrying a brown briefcase.
Spratt later called it "the most intact" of the four briefcases he owns.
The White House is paying close attention to Spratt's race and wants to ensure a Democratic ally has money for a competitive election, said Scott Huffmon, a political scientist at Winthrop University.
Spratt has faced heavy criticism over his support for health care reform and the economic stimulus package.
"Clearly, the White House sees John Spratt's seat and his position as very important," Huffmon said. "This far out, before everything kicks up, it's not about getting the headlines, it's about getting the money."
Federal records show Spratt with an early fundraising edge. He had $950,000 in cash on hand as of May 19, compared to $222,000 for Mulvaney.
During this election season, Mulvaney has welcomed former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty for fundraisers.
Biden, Hollings old friends
Biden will deliver the keynote address at a dedication ceremony for the Hollings library.
Hollings and Biden served together in the Senate for 32 years until Hollings' retirement in 2005. Biden has visited South Carolina numerous times, including in 2003 to speak at the funeral of Republican U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.
The Hollings addition, which adjoins the Thomas Cooper Library, was completed in June. In addition to the S.C. Political Collections, the 50,000-square-foot facility will house the Irvin Collection of Rare Books and Special Collections and Digital Collections, USC officials said.
