Michelle Obama to hold two fundraisers in Maryland

First lady Michelle Obama will visit Maryland next month for a pair of fundraisers -- including one in Baltimore -- during a campaign swing that will largely mirror a trip the president made through the state in June, Democratic officials said Wednesday.

Obama, who like other first ladies before her enjoys higher approval ratings than the president, will hold a large fundraiser at Morgan State University on Sept. 21. Tickets for that event will begin at around $250. A more exclusive and pricey event will take place on the same day at the Phoenix home of Robert Meyerhoff, a prominent horse breeder and owner and major Democratic donor.

That fundraiser will feature celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who will play as part of a string quartet. Tickets will run around $5,000.

The trip marks the first time Michelle Obama has visited Maryland for a campaign event this election cycle. And given the state's deeply blue voting patterns, it very well may be the last.

The first lady was not expected to hold any public events while in the state. In June, President Obama traveled to Maryland for a series of fundraisers, including one at a private home in Owings Mills and another at the Hyatt Regency at the Inner Harbor.