NORWICH – As anticipation for the 2006 Lobsterfest grows, so mounts the list of guests who will attend the election-year fundraiser.

Thomas L. Morrone, county Republican Committee chairman, said the GOP fundraiser has attendance commitments from a number of candidates, including the party’s man for the top seat in the state.

Gubernatorial candidate John Faso, state attorney general hopeful Jeanine Pirro, and congressional aspirant Raymond Meier are all expected to don bibs at the July 30 Chenango County Lobsterfest. Beyond raising funds for the party, the annual foray is an opportunity to break bread, or shell, with those whose names will appear on the ballot.

“It is a great way for people to meet those who are running for office,” Morrone said.

Also expected to be mingling among the 700 expected guests at the Canasawacta Country Club are senate hopeful Kathleen “KT” McFarland, candidate for state comptroller Chris Callaghan, Supreme Court Judge Dennis McDermott, Assembly hopeful Peter Lopez, and county Treasurer William Evans. Also expected to attend are longtime party representatives, James L. Seward, Thomas W. Libous and Gary D. Finch.