The General Assembly fundraising season is in full swing these nights as lawmakers fill their campaign coffers in the runup to the September primaries and the November general elections.

Sen. Josh Miller, D-Cranston, scheduled a time last Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Twin Oaks.

A hearing before the Senate Corporations Committee on a package of renewable energy legislation kept Miller at the capitol. Rushing from the State House, Miller was surprised to see “about 16 fire engines behind me” as he drove to the Sabra Street landmark in his city.

A fan motor in the Twin Oaks dining room caught fire and the restaurant had to be evacuated. Twin Oaks closed for about a half-hour or so until the problem with the fan was fixed.

But, Miller said, many of those who were either on their way or already at the restaurant never got a chance to greet him or mingle with donors. “A lot of people missed out,” he said.

Still, about 100 people did attend and Miller said he raised more than $5,000, some of it from checks sent by people who didn’t get a chance to have a drink or nosh on a canapé.

Miller’s event carried a price tag of $25, $50 or $150.