Party on! Former congresswoman Drake finds new sponsor for annual shindig

For 14 years, Thelma Drake hosted her annual "Party on the Pier" in Norfolk as she looked to raise money for herself or other candidates.

But now that Drake, a former GOP legislator and congresswoman from Hampton Roads, works for Gov. Bob McDonnell, will the party stop? No.

Drake, director of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transit, plans to continue to host her annual party next month on the Ocean View Fishing Pier, usually attended by hundreds of people.

But Drake says that doesn't mean she plans to run for elected office again -- or that she's fundraising again. Instead, she has asked the Tusk and Trunk Club -- a Hampton Roads-based Republican club of which she is conveniently the new president -- to pay for the party. All money raised will be donated to local and state Republican candidates.

Drake said Republican Scott Rigell, who is running against Democrat Rep. Glenn Nye in November, will attend. (Nye defeated Drake in 2008.)

"It's become pretty much a tradition,'' Drake said.