Romney returning for Wednesday fundraiser

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is returning to Arizona for a fundraiser Wednesday at the Villa Siena wedding reception site, at 890 W. Elliot Road, in Gilbert.

The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. The cost was not immediately available.

Arizona residents have contributed nearly $1 million to the former governor of Massachusetts to date, said his state campaign director Jason Rose. Campaign officials’ goal is to raise more than $150,000 at the fund-raiser and push Arizona comfortably beyond the $1 million mark before the close of the second quarter campaign finance period, which ends June 30.

Tickets for the event are $2,300 each for the VIP reception, which includes a photo with the candidate; and $500 each for general admission.

Romney is expected to hold a press conference to discuss national issues and the presidential race at 4:45 p.m.

About 20 supporters from Arizona also are set to fly to Boston to participate in Romney’s “America’s Calling” fund-raiser event, which will held at the Boston Garden this weekend.

For more information about the Gilbert event, contact Corinne Lovas at Corinne@lovasco.com or (602) 885-6223.

The press conference and fund-raiser marks Romney’s third public appearance in Arizona while on the campaign trail. His last visit was March 13.

The Romney event kicks off a busy political week in Arizona.

Former President Bill Clinton will serve as the keynote speaker at the Arizona Democratic Party’s annual Heritage Dinner in Phoenix on Monday.

His wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is seeking the presidency.

That event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., at The Phoenician Resort, 6000 E. Camelback Road, in Phoenix.

Tickets are $200 each for the public and $125 each for registered Democratic precinct committee members.

For information on the Clinton event, call (602) 298-4200.