GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney will swing through Seattle on Thursday for a fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt hotel.

The luncheon is sponsored by a group of notable business and GOP leaders including former Spokane Congressman George Nethercutt; wireless tycoons Bruce McCaw and John Stanton; former Microsoft executive John Connors, and developer Martin Selig.

An email pitch for the event touts Romney, the former Massachussetts governor, as the clear GOP frontrunner, urging Republicans to climb aboard the winning campaign now (and just forget about that Rick Perry fellow.)

"Did you know that Governor Romney has a significant lead in 4 out of the 5 early state pollings...?" the email boasts.

"There is no point to hold back any more! Since July Governor Romney has consistently been the front runner, by catching up and surpassing the new comer who shot up the poles [sic] ... With the early primaries around the corner, get down (off) the fence and join the Republican Party nominee's team by supporting Mitt Romney when he is Seattle next week," the email says.

Admission to the event will cost a minimum of $500 per person, and $1,250 for a photo reception.

While Washington state is far from the minds of most of the GOP field, Romney has already been dipping into a reservoir of wealthy supporters on the Eastside. He attended a low-key fundraiser in July at Connors' Medina estate, zipping in and out of the state with very little public attention.

So far, Romney has raised about $211,000 from Washington donors, according to the Federal Election Commission.

No word yet on whether Romney will make any public appearances while in the area. He'll head to a fundraiser in Portland on Friday.