Associated Press - November 5, 2009 4:44 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Gilbert Baker is holding a $1,000-a-person fundraiser for his Senate bid later this month at the National Republican Senatorial Committee's headquarters in Washington. The committee, however, says that doesn't mean it's endorsing his bid.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the committee, is listed as a host of the Nov. 19 fundraiser for Baker along with Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and David Vitter of Louisiana.

Baker, a state senator from Conway, is among seven Republicans seeking the nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln. Amber Wilkerson Marchand, a spokeswoman for the committee, said the committee hasn't endorsed anyone in the primary and doesn't plan to.

Marchand said Baker had asked to have the fundraiser at the committee's headquarters in Washington, and that the group would allow other candidates to have events there if they asked. Cornyn has said the committee won't spend money in contested primaries without a GOP incumbent.

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