Romney to headline Senate GOP dinner

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will headline the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s annual fundraising dinner, keeping the potential 2012 presidential candidate’s name in the news while providing minority Republicans with some much-needed cash.

The dinner, slated for April 1, will bolster Senate Republicans’ coffers as they head into what is expected to be difficult fundraising terrain.

{mosads}Romney accepted an invitation from NRSC chairman John Cornyn (Texas) to headline the dinner during a phone call two weeks ago, an aide said.

“Gov. Romney expects to be active helping Republicans running in the 2010 cycle, so when Sen. Cornyn invited him to headline an event this spring, we were happy to accept,” spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said.

With just 41 senators — 42 if Norm Coleman can pull out of a 225-vote deficit as court battles drag on in Minnesota — Republicans faced a nearly $4.9 million debt as of Dec. 31. The committee had just $750,000 cash on hand by Dec. 31.

Romney “is one of the most respected and trusted voices in the Republican Party today,” one NRSC official told The Hill on condition of anonymity because the committee has not formally announced the dinner.

“As the Republican Party rebuilds and particularly as our country faces the most serious economic crisis in recent history, our party leaders and Republican faithful across the country will undoubtedly look to Mitt Romney for his leadership and advice,” the official said.

By contrast, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee held just $300,000 in the bank and was carrying nearly $11 million in debt. Despite the initial disparity, Democrats are expected to have a much easier time raising cash, thanks to a Democratic White House and a big majority in the Senate.

Romney is the second potential White House contender to agree to headline a big GOP fundraiser this year. The National Republican Congressional Committee announced in January that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal would keynote its March 24 fundraising dinner.

Romney has a series of other fundraisers planned, many for his Free and Strong America PAC. The PAC will host a Washington fundraiser on Feb. 17, according to an e-mail sent to supporters.

The former governor raised money at more than 30 events for GOP candidates after dropping out of the presidential race, including fundraisers for 28 House candidates and five candidates for the Senate. He raised money for the NRSC in Boston, the NRCC in Simi Valley and the California Republican Party.

During his presidential bid, Romney was no slouch either; he raised more than $113 million for his campaign, including a heavy investment of his own funds.