St. Paul City Council Member Dave Thune is holding a fundraiser Thursday in part, he says, to battle back against unnamed people who he says are gathering names on a potential recall drive to boot him out of office.

Some calls around City Hall Monday didn't dig up any information about this petition drive to unseat Thune, but he is very unpopular with some bar owners around town for sponsoring the smoking ban. And many were upset with his remarks about the Republican National Convention, including his statement that he didn't want Republicans throwing up on his lawn. No response yet from Thune.

In the invitation to supporters, Thune said he needs to ask for help because his strong advocacy of free speech (supporting RNC protests) and the smoking ban has led to an effort to recall him from office. He called it a "real threat."

He asks them to attend the fundraiser -- 5:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Summit Mansion, 275 Summit Ave., St. Paul -- to help "fend off this rash effort to silence the voices of people who stand up for what is right."

He helpfully notes that there is a $100 limit on contributions, or $200 for a couple.