A fundraiser for the Hillary Clinton campaign brought out approximately 100 donors to an event hosted by Christine Jennings, a former candidate for Congress and the Sarasota Democratic Party chairwoman. Jennings said the event proved a good chance to rally early support for the presidential campaign, but the event also drew some criticism about whether party leaders should pick sides before the primary is complete. 

The event, which brought Clinton finance director Dennis Cheng to the region, drew a range of party activists and office-holders. While final fundraising data will be released later, the Sept. 1 event raised approximately $30,000, by Jennings' estimate. “It was a very successful grassroots event for Hillary," Jennings said.

Jennings involvement did draw some heat among local Democratic activists, many of whom want to see a more liberal candidate like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders become the Democratic nominee. Virginia Hoffman, for example, counts herself a Hillary admirer but plans to support Sanders in the primary, and until a nominee is decided, she feels Jennings should stay out of events benefitting individual candidates. “She is the chair of the the party and she needs to be an example,” Hoffman said. “In a contested primary, all candidates should be treated equal by the party.” 

Jennings said she is backing Hillary as an individual, not as a party official, and the fundraiser was not an event hosted by the local party. Jennings said she actually feels encouraged many high-ranking Democrats in the region are backing Sanders. Indeed, Sanders supporters are hosting a march across the Ringling Bridge today at 5pm and a celebration of the candidate's birthday at Z's Restaurant afterward to educate voters about the candidacy.

It's good, Jennings said, for multiple candidates to incite discussion in the party, but she stands firmly with Clinton. “Many in our party are supporting Bernie, which I think is really great,” Jennings said. “But I think in the long run, Hillary will be the Democratic candidate, and in the long run, Hillary will take Sarasota County.”