Joe Biden to headline Phil Bredesen US Senate campaign fundraiser in Nashville

Former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen's Democratic bid for U.S. Senate during a swing through Nashville next week.

The fundraiser for the Bredesen Victory Fund is set for Tuesday, April 10 at 1 p.m, according to an invitation obtained by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee. It's billed as a "coffee and conversation" with the 47th vice president. A location is not disclosed.

The fundraiser comes on the same day Biden will speak at Vanderbilt University as part of a lecture series hosted by Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos.

►More: Phil Bredesen would be one of the richest members of Congress if elected to Senate

Chairing the Bredesen fundraiser are Stuart Brunson, a longtime Bredesen aide and former deputy governor, and businessman Andrew Byrd.

Hosts include two of Tennessee's top Democratic fundraisers, real estate executive Bill Freeman and attorney Charles Bone. Other hosts are lobbyist and former chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Randy Button, Babs Freeman, Dale Allen, Marianne Byrd, Dick Eskind and Stephen Prince.

Biden's involvement is a sign of the national attention that Tennessee's U.S. Senate race is expected to draw. Democrats believe they can pick up a seat in historically red Tennessee because of the past election success of Bredesen, and early polling has shown a close race with Republican favorite U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee.

“Over the years, Vice President Biden and Gov. Bredesen have spent time talking about issues like the economy and politics," Bredesen spokeswoman Alyssa Hansen said in a statement. "Gov. Bredesen appreciates his support and looks forward to welcoming him back to Nashville for the latest conversation,"

►More: New poll finds Bredesen with narrow lead over Blackburn in US Senate race

The Bredesen Victory Fund is a joint fundraising committee that is authorized by the Bredesen For Senate campaign and the Tennessee Democratic Party. That allows for higher contributions.

Hosts for the fundraiser are asked to give $10,000, which is the maximum amount authorized to fund joint activities and is above the $5,400 cap for individual contributions to campaigns.

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236, jgarrison@tennessean.com and on Twitter @joeygarrison.