A fundraiser hosted by President Bush today in Albuquerque raised $317,000 that will be split between the state GOP and the campaign of 1st Congressional District Republican candidate Darren White.

At the noon event, Bush praised White’s understanding of national security issues and applauded his record as a law-enforcement officer, according to a release from the White campaign. Bush also called White a “proven vote-getter.” White was re-elected as sheriff of Bernalillo County in 2006 with 64 percent of the vote.

U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici also spoke at the fundraiser, where he praised White’s independence and integrity. Domenici noted that White resigned from his job in former Gov. Gary Johnson’s administration after the governor came out in favor of drug decriminalization. He also pointed to White’s efforts to lead a team of volunteers to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

“Don’t vote for Darren because he is of either party,” Domenici said, according to the news release. “Vote for him because he is a man of character and a man who cares.”

White said in the release that he appreciates the president’s willingness to attend the fundraiser. He said he expects liberal, special-interest groups to invest heavily in the campaign of his likely Democratic opponent, Martin Heinrich, who the news release called the “darling of the Left.”

“My campaign is about shaking up Washington with strong, independent leadership and I look forward to earning the support of the voters,” White said in the release.