Republican Congressional Candidate Vern Buchanan’s campaign gets a boost today. Vice President Dick Cheney will be on the stump in Sarasota for the candidate...the guest-of-honor at a thousand-dollar a plate lunch. The chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota County, Bob Waechter, says Cheney’s visit will raise, quote a “big chunk of change” for the candidate. But he says it’s needed. The contest between Vern Buchanan and Democrat Christine Jennings is shaping up to be a very expensive race – the priciest in Florida.

“The democrats have targeted CD13 – Katherine Harris’s congressional seat as one they would very much like to have. The fact that it was an open seat and a strongly contested Republican primary gives them what they perceive to be an opening. I think they’re wrong, I think we’re going to thump’em.”

Waechter says Jennings is benefiting from Democratic organizations like Move-on.org – and that much of her funding comes from outside the 13th Congressional District. The luncheon featuring Vice President Cheney is at the Sarasota Hyatt. News.