College students – though perennially broke – are showing they can raise cash too.

Kansas University Young Democrats have started a political action committee to raise funds during the 2006 election season. Their efforts include Tuesday night’s cocktail reception fundraiser at 1501 Crescent Road.

“We established it to give young Democrats experience in fundraising they don’t get on their own,” said Marc Langston, president of KU Young Democrats.

The group’s first PAC, Langston said, was started to coincide with state political races in 2004.

Last year, the group didn’t file its paperwork with the state – something that’s required of every political action committee in Kansas.

But Langston said the group wanted to re-file for this election cycle, both to help the candidates and to educate its members on the nuances of money in politics.

“It’s also part of training young Dems to run for office,” he said. “That’s what we’re about.”

Before speaking Tuesday night at a policy event on the KU campus, Mark Parkinson, the Republican-turned-Democratic lieutenant governor candidate, milled about the fundraiser, shaking hands and chatting with students and donors.

Parkinson, who is Kathleen Sebelius’ running mate, was billed as the fundraiser’s featured guest.

Parkinson agreed that for young people who are organizing fundraisers for politicians, money isn’t always the most important issue.

He said that, unfortunately, money does play a crucial role in running for office. But the role young people play in registering new voters can be crucial in close races, he said.

Those close races include the Jim Ryun-Nancy Boyda race in the 2nd Congressional District and the Kansas attorney general race between Phill Kline and Paul Morrison.

“That’s when organizations like the Young Democrats are so critical to our success,” he said. “It can make or break a politician.”