Island County Republicans are coming to Comcast Arena in Everett next month to raise money and they are bringing a big political name with them to help.

John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will deliver the keynote speech at the Island County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day dinner.

The event is planned for April 14 in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center. All proceeds will go to Republican candidates running in 2012.

Bolton served as U.N ambassador from August 2005 to December 2006 under a recess appointment made by President George W. Bush. Bolton resigned when the U.S. Senate did not confirm him to the post. Today, he is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C.

Beth Munson, vice chairwoman of the Island County Republican Party, invited Bolton whom she met a few years ago at a Conservative Political Action Committee conference in Washington, D.C.

This is the first time the Republican group held its big-ticket fundraiser in its neighboring and more populous county.

A larger crowd is expected than could be accommodated at any site on Whidbey Island, said event organizer Munson, vice chairwoman of the Island County Republican Party.

“I hope they do well,” said Bill Cooper, chairman of the Snohomish County Republican Party. “It would have been a good thing to collaborate better on something as significant as this. We’ll look for other opportunities down the road.”

Tickets for the event cost $100 and include a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. There also is a private reception with Bolton at 6 p.m. Tickets for that are an additional $85 per person.

All activities are in Edward D. Hansen Conference Center of the Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave. in Everett.

To make reservations, go to www.islandcountygop.com or call 360-629-3000.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Learn more

For more information on the Island County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day dinner, go to www. islandcountygop.com/ lincoln-day-dinner.html.