Vice-President Dick Cheney made a brief visit to the Cowboy State on Sunday to attend a fundraising event held by the Wyoming Republican Party.

Cheney stopped in Casper for only a couple of hours to make remarks at a private fundraising event hosted by Diemer True. According to the Wyoming Republican Party's Web site, guests were asked to pay $1,200 to attend the event or $1,500 if they wanted a photo with the vice president.

Bruce Brown, treasurer for the Wyoming Republican Party, greeted Cheney when he arrived at the Natrona County International Airport Sunday afternoon.

Brown said the fundraiser was more of a 'mix-and-mingle' event for party members and Cheney.

"When he comes back to Wyoming, it's more of a reunion for him," Brown said.

The fundraiser was held in effort to collect money for Republican candidates who are heading into contested races, Brown said. The money will go towards campaigns for any candidate who needs it, including House representatives and Senate races.

The party did not have a specific fundraising goal they planned to reach, Brown said.

"It should be enough to get the races kick-started," he said.

Fundraising for the party's candidates is an important step in making sure Republicans keep their seats, Brown said, adding that the Democrats have pegged Wyoming as a state they could potentially 'take over.'

"We just need to make sure our candidates are fully funded," Brown said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com