Political stars descend on Lone Star state this week

With just three weeks left in the campaign, marquee politicians are flooding into Texas to help candidates raise money and rally the troops.

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell (D-Houston) in Houston Monday night. Houston Mayor Bill White will provide an introduction at the "desert reception" at the home of Arthur Schechter, a former ambassador to the Bahamas during the Clinton administration.

One of Bell's Republican opponents, Joan Huffman, announced Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples will hold a fundraiser for the former criminal district judge. The campaign said details are still being "finalized."

"We do not need Bill Clinton and Chris Bell teaming up trying to run Texas," Staples said in a statement. 

On Tuesday, Clinton is set to appear at a Dallas rally for U.S. Senate hopeful, state Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston). The event will take place at Thomas Jefferson High School at 6:30 p.m. Other Dallas-area candidates, such as state Reps. Allen Vaught (D-Dallas) and Kirk England (D-Grand Prairie), are expected to be on hand.

Also on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Dallas) is scheduled to attend a lunch-time fundraiser for U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Houston) at the home of Gene and Astrid Van Dyke. Hutchison is also slated to kick-off an early voting rally for House District 52 candidate Bryan Daniel in Round Rock Friday.

On Thursday, Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) will attend a luncheon for 7th Congressional District Democrat Michael Skelly in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The Austin-American Statesman reports Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) will be the featured guest at a Thursday luncheon for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. The event will be held at the Four Seasons hotel in Austin, and tickets are $1,000.

UPDATE: Huffman campaign manager Jessica Colon said the Staples fundraiser will take place Oct. 27 at the home of Sugar Land city council member Michael Schiff.