Gov. Bryant holding mother of all fundraisers

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, up for re-election to a second and final term next year, is having a whopper of a fundraiser tonight in Jackson.

Sources close to the campaign fundraiser say about $850,000 has been pledged so far. If that proves true, this would be one heck of a one-night haul, perhaps a record for a Mississippi state office? UPDATE: No, apparently not. I'm told former Gov. Haley Barbour, in a Jackson fundraiser attended by then-President George W. Bush, raised well more than $1 million -- perhaps approaching $2 million -- in a single fundraiser event.

But $850,000 would still be a massive amount, again, if it proves out. Sometimes supporters tend to over-estimate.

But the potential take appears large:

The Bryant invite says those on the chairman level have to pony up $25,000; co-chairmen, $10,000; hosts $5,000 and plain old attendees $1,000. It lists a who's who of Mississippi business magnates -- 29 chairmen, more than two dozen co-chairs and dozens of hosts.

Bryant started the year with about $1.3 million in his campaign coffers.