Laura Bush to speak at Reichert fundraiser in Medina

First Lady Laura Bush will be in Medina Wednesday afternoon to raise money for U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert's re-election campaign.

Bush will speak at a noon reception at the $2.7 million home of Michael and Marybeth Johnston. Michael Johnston is co-founder of Steelhead Partners, a Seattle investment firm, and he and his wife are big-money donors for Republican candidates.

Reichert, R-Auburn, narrowly beat Democrat Darcy Burner in his first re-election campaign in 2006. Burner is running again for her party's nomination.

Neither the Reichert campaign nor the state Republican Party would comment today about the fundraiser. According to an invitation, admission to the event requires a $500 donation.

The other hosts will be Pedro Celis, a Microsoft engineer and chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, and his wife, Laura; telecom magnate Bruce McCaw and his wife, Jolene; retired Eastside developer Bill Conner and his wife, Marilyn; Issaquah developer Skip Rowley and his wife, Debra; and former U.S. Rep. Rick White and his wife, Melissa.

Laura Bush was last in the Seattle area in August 2006, when she spoke at a fundraiser in Bellevue for U.S. Senate candidate Mike McGavick.

President Bush headlined a Reichert fundraiser in Bellevue last summer.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com