McCain back in Newport to raise bucks tonight

Presidential hopeful John McCain is expected to make a fundraising pit stop in Newport Beach tonight at a gala event hosted by real estate investment magnate George Argyros and his wife, Julia.

Campaign officials confirmed Monday that McCain was expected to make an appearance at a 6 p.m. photo reception and dinner event at an undisclosed location in Newport Beach.

The cost of admission at the private event is listed as $25,000 per couple on McCain’s campaign website.

McCain raised about $800,000 from high-ranking Orange County supporters at a private luncheon at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach in March.

Several high-profile local McCain supporters are co-hosting tonight’s dinner, according to the McCain website, including Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren and GOP activist Dale Dykema.

— Brianna Bailey