VP Biden attending fundraiser for Democrat Robin Carnahan in Missouri’s US Senate race

Biden raising money for Carnahan Senate bid in Mo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Vice President Joe Biden praised Democrat Robin Carnahan as a gritty candidate unlikely to buckle to others while helping raise money for her U.S. Senate campaign.

About 170 people attended Biden’s Thursday evening event in Springfield, which raised about $100,000 for Carnahan’s campaign. Gov. Jay Nixon also spoke at the event.

Biden’s office barred media cameras from the fundraiser, and the vice president planned no public events while in Missouri.

Carnahan’s opponent, Republican Roy Blunt, held a public rally a few miles away that drew about 100 people.

Carnahan said Biden’s presence shows national Democrats know what’s at stake in Missouri’s Nov. 2 election. Blunt said it shows Carnahan would back the policies of Obama’s administration.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden has drawn some of Missouri’s top Democrats to a fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan. His presence in Missouri also has drawn together some Republicans.

Biden was expected to raise about $100,000 for Carnahan at the Thursday evening event in Springfield. Biden’s office barred media cameras from the fundraiser, which was open only to about 170 invited guests.

A few miles away, Carnahan’s opponent, Roy Blunt, rallied with Republicans at a public event that drew about 100 people.

Carnahan said Biden’s presence shows national Democrats know what’s at stake in Missouri’s Nov. 2 election.

Blunt said Biden’s visit provides an example of how Carnahan would back the policies of Obama’s administration.