Biden to headline fundraiser in Ohio Senate race

How much are big-name political endorsements worth?

Former Ohio governor Ted Strickland is about to find out, as he brings Vice President Biden to Cincinnati this month for a high-dollar fundraiser.

Biden — along with President Obama — endorsed Strickland’s Senate bid earlier this week. Now, Biden will help Strickland fill his campaign coffers, hosting a “breakfast reception” for the Democratic contender March 22.

The cost of admission is $500 for regular guests, $1,000 for sponsors, and $2,700 for co-hosts, according to an invitation obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer. Anyone who can contribute $10,000 or more — or raise that much from others — can attend a special reception and get “candid photos” with Biden, along with the breakfast.The location of the fundraiser is not specified; Ohio Democrat Connie Pillich is also hosting the event.

Strickland has struggled to meet expectations when it comes to fundraising. He has about $2 million in the bank, according to his campaign, and raised nearly $500,000 over the last two months. Strickland faces Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld in the March 15 primary. Sittenfeld had about $785,000 in cash at the end of 2015.

The winner of the Democratic primary will likely face GOP Sen. Rob Portman in the general election. Portman has nearly $13 million in the bank, and he raised more than $1 million from Jan. 1 through February.