Vice President Vance Headlines San Diego RNC Fundraiser with $50,000 Per Couple Tickets

San Diego – Vice President J.D. Vance headlined a high-profile Republican National Committee (RNC) fundraising roundtable in San Diego on Monday, with tickets for the exclusive event priced at $50,000 per couple. The visit concluded a weekend in Southern California for Vance, who also received a significant award from the conservative Claremont Institute. His presence in the city drew both high-dollar donors and protesters.

The RNC fundraiser underscored Vance's pivotal role as the finance chair of the Republican Party, a position he assumed in March. This arrangement, described by The New York Times as unorthodox, grants him a direct and prominent role in the party's fundraising efforts. The substantial ticket price for the San Diego roundtable reflects the RNC's strategy to engage major donors and build its war chest ahead of upcoming elections.

During his Southern California visit, Vance was honored with the "Statesmanship Award" at a dinner hosted by the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank. Tickets for this event were priced at $2,500 per seat, and it featured right-wing activist Charlie Kirk as emcee. Vance's wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, has deep ties to San Diego, having grown up in the Rancho Peñasquitos area.

The Vice President's visit was met with protests, particularly outside Soichi Sushi, a Michelin-starred restaurant where he dined on Sunday evening. Videos posted to social media showed protesters heckling his motorcade, with some referencing the ongoing flash floods in Texas and questioning the optics of his dining at an exclusive establishment. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Vance's visit was not without controversy, highlighting the public reaction.

Vance is expected to continue an aggressive fundraising schedule throughout the summer, with upcoming events planned in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. His active role in fundraising is also seen as a strategic move to raise his profile for a widely anticipated 2028 presidential bid. As of May 31, the RNC held a significant cash-on-hand advantage over the Democratic National Committee, a testament to its robust fundraising efforts.