Ayotte: Tax Cuts for the Wealthy (Contributors)

Adam Smith, who is with money-in-politics watchdog Public Campaign Action, notes New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte was in the Granite State earlier this week promising to rewrite the tax code ”to avoid increases in taxes for the wealthy that kick in at year’s end.”

Yesterday, would-be beneficiaries of those millionaire tax cuts had the opportunity to thank her.

Our junior senator started the day with a fundraiser for her political action committee. The Kelly PAC breakfast was held at Johnny’s Half Shell, a Capitol Hill restaurant named one of “America’s Best” by Gourmet Magazine.

She ended the day with a dinner for Wall Street lobbyists. Central Michel Richard, a “Power Spot of the Year” winner with $17 hamburgers, was the location for her Financial Services Dinner.

She’s no stranger to the [Financial Services] industry, having collected $1.3 million from the finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE) sector during her time in Congress, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Executives at Elliot Management puts the hedge fund at the top of her donor list. Its founder Paul Singer, donated $3,142 to Ayotte’s election campaign in 2010. He made the Forbes list of the “World’s Billionaires” for the first time this year. Other top industry donors include Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and the Blackstone Group.

PACs seeking to curry favor with Ayotte ponied up $1000 to attend or $2000 to sponsor one of the events. Mere individuals got by for half that.