WASHINGTON -- Former Clinton counselor Paul Begala will headline Sen. Patty Murray's 17th Golden Tennis Shoe Award fundraiser in Seattle Friday.

Begala is the second consecutive presidential adviser to co-host the annual luncheon. He follows David Axelrod, former adviser to Bill Clinton and strategist for Obama's first presidential campaign.

The luncheon is at noon at the Westin Seattle hotel. Tickets start at $125. Of course, attendees are free to give Murray up to $5,000 for any future campaign. She'll be up for re-election in 2016.

In 2010, when Murray was in a heated race against Republican Dino Rossi, Sen. Edward Kennedy's widow, Vicki, headlined the luncheon and helped raise $280,000.

Murray's campaign said 650 tickets have been sold for today's luncheon, 20 more than last year. Attendance in 2010 was about 1,100.

The Golden Tennis Shoe is given to individuals who help improve their communities.

This year's award will recognize Megan Johnson of Federal Way for her work with the homeless; Joel Courreges of Bremerton for his advocacy on behalf of veterans; and Ted Washburne of Vancouver for creating a support network for patients who, like him, have brain cancer.