Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is scheduled to visit Dallas on Oct. 3 for a fundraiser and possibly a public rally.

Since becoming the Republican nominee for vice president, Ms. Palin has electrified the GOP base and helped John McCain surge in the polls. Local Republicans on Thursday were ecstatic that she’s coming to town.

“It’s a huge opportunity for Palin to be introduced to the people of Dallas who have seen her on television,” said Jonathan Neerman, chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party.

Ms. Palin will participate in a lunchtime fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel. Tickets will cost $1,000 a plate. The top level being asked for host committee is about $57,000.

The money is being raised for the Republican National Committee.

Mr. McCain has opted for public financing for the general election campaign and does not have to raise campaign funds.

Mr. Neerman said he would try to get Ms. Palin to attend a separate event to introduce her to county Republicans who are not donors.

“We want her to do something with our grass-roots activists,” he said.

The Oct. 3 event, which will be one day after the vice presidential debate, would be Ms. Palin’s first trip to Texas since attending a Republican Governors Association meeting in Grapevine last April.