AP-

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush will visit the Kansas City, Mo., area next month to help raise money for Republican Rep. Sam Graves.

Bush will attend a fundraising event at a private residence in Parkville on the morning of Feb. 1, according to a copy of the invitation.

Graves is expected to face a tough re-election race against former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes, a Democrat. He raised about $275,000 last year at a Kansas City luncheon hosted by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Neither the White House nor Graves' office would immediately confirm the president's visit.

Guests are asked to contribute $1,000 per person, or $5,000 per couple if they want their picture taken with the president.

Democrats said the visit makes Graves the first Republican House member this election cycle to get fundraising help from both Bush and Cheney.

Bush's last trip to Kansas City was in August to address a national veterans convention