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When President Bush stops in Tucson next week to raise money for Republican Tim Bee, he'll be welcomed into the Foothills home of William and Jackie Bell, a wealthy Republican couple with a palatial residence.

The Bells politely declined an interview request from Notebook, but we do know that Mr. Bell is a descendent of Alexander Graham Bell, the man, of course, who is credited with inventing the telephone.

With a goal of boosting congressional candidate Bee's war chest, the president will be the guest of honor at the retired couple's sprawling 8,700- square-foot home, complete with 14 rooms, a four-car garage and an observatory tower with a 360-degree view of the Tucson Valley.

Built in 1941, the home has been in the family ever since and sits on a 30-acre property.

The Bells' residence is adorned with artwork and murals, the most notable being a custom piece by legendary Tucson artist Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia that was completed in just three weeks back in 1944.

As the story goes, William Bell's father was a test pilot for Consolidated Aircraft during World War II, and DeGrazia was an airplane mechanic. Bell noticed that DeGrazia would make sketches whenever he had a free moment, and he offered the artist $250 to paint the wall of his bar. The painting tells the story of tequila.

So, with next Friday's breakfast nearing, Bee has responded to criticism that Democrats have made about the event — since Bush's approval rating has dipped below 30 percent.

"He's a prolific fundraiser, and we need the resources to run a competitive campaign," said Bee, who is running against Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. "We're honored he's taking the time. He wouldn't be coming if he didn't think we were going to win."

That leads to this question: Does Bee approve of Bush's job performance?

"The president is here to support my record," Bee said, skirting the question. "We're not having the event to support him and his."

The nerd squad

Meanwhile, in an interview recently with the Politico, Giffords was asked about her long association with Bee. The two politicians went through elementary school together.

"Who, back then, seemed more destined to becoming a congressman or congresswoman?" reporter Daniel Libit asked Giffords.

"I don't think either of us," she answered. "We were some nerdy kids. . . . He wore plaid, and I wore bell bottoms. It was the 1970s and early '80s."

Democrat Clarence Dupnik has been Pima County sheriff for 28 years and won re-election six times. So he's probably not too worried about the challenge from Republican Harry Shaw, and his fundraising shows it.

Dupnik had raised just $1,190 as of May 31, the close of the most recent campaign-finance reporting period. And he didn't go too far afield to raise the money, either.

The money came from just five donations, four of them donations of $200 from women with the same last names as Dupnik's bureau chiefs, Rick Kastigar, Warren Alter, George Heaney and Brad Gagnepain.

The fifth donation was $390 from former Pima County supervisor and all-around political bigwig Dan Eckstrom, who donated to all the Democratic incumbents for county office.

Dupnik wasn't the only one to get donations from the family member of an employee.

County Attorney Barbara LaWall, who faces a challenge from former prosecutor Brad Roach, received $350 from the partner of LaWall's chief deputy, Amelia Craig Cramer.

We're sure they all just think the incumbents are doing a great job. And really, they would know better than anyone, right?