George W. Bush to headline fundraisers for Burr in NC

Former President George W. Bush is hitting the campaign trail for vulnerable GOP Sen. Richard Burr in the battleground state of North Carolina.

{mosads}Bush will headline two fundraisers for Burr next week on Oct. 11 in Charlotte and Raleigh, Burr’s campaign confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday.

The fundraisers come with polls showing a tightening race in Burr’s tough reelection fight against former state Rep. Deborah Ross (D).

The seat could be pivotal for determining which party controls the Senate next year. Bush has stumped for other GOP incumbents and Senate hopefuls this cycle, including Rep. Todd Young in Indiana, who faces an uphill battle against former Sen. Evan Bayh (D). Bush has also hosted fundraisers, including for Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and appeared at one for Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) Tuesday.

Bush also campaigned alongside Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who served as U.S. trade representative in Bush’s administration. Polls show Portman in strong position in his race against former Gov. Ted Strickland (D).

While he’s lending a hand to help Republicans keep their slim majority, Bush has declined to back GOP nominee Donald Trump for president. His brother and former GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush has also decided to stay on the sidelines this election, while their father, former President George H.W. Bush, reportedly said he would vote for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.