First lady fundraises Thursday in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - First Lady Michelle Obama will host a fundraiser on Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

This comes ahead of an Indianapolis visit from the president’s Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

The Hoosier state’s political landscape is much different in this election than it was in 2008.

This visit will be the first by either the president or the first lady for the 2012 campaign. That’s in sharp contrast to 2008, when the Obama campaign made 48 stops throughout Indiana.

That was the first time in 44 years that the Hoosier state went to the Democratic candidate in the general election.

This year, however, Indiana is expected to go to Mitt Romney as Barack Obama is considerably behind in statewide polls.

24-Hour News 8 political reporter Jim Shella said the Obama campaign is holding this Indiana event to raise money, but that money will likely be spent in other states.

“It's safe to say, based on the behavior that we're seeing this week, that the Obama campaign has written off Indiana, and they're concentrating their efforts in other states.,” Shella said. “But if they can raise money here, that's still a plus.”

Michelle Obama attended several events in Florida on Wednesday, where she urged minority voters to get to polls.

“I want you to think about this, this election like so many others could come down to those last few thousand votes,” she said.

Thursday’s Indianapolis event is a fundraiser, not a meet and greet with constituents.

Date: Thursday, August 23, 2012

Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium

Tickets:  $100/person:  Reception General Section

                $500/person:  Reception Ropeline Section

                $10,000:  Includes Photo Opportunity & Reception

Republican challenger Mitt Romney will speak to the American Legion at the Indiana Convention Center on Wednesday, August 29.