Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was forced to withdraw from a high-profile Hamptons fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Monday due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
According to Page Six, former President Bill Clinton stepped in to replace his wife at the event held at the Sag Harbor home of prominent art collectors Lisa and Richard Perry.
The fundraiser, which commanded ticket prices of up to $100,000 at the highest tier, also featured Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff as a speaker. The event was billed as one of the last small gatherings in the New York area before the upcoming election, making it a significant stop on the campaign trail for the Democratic candidates.
The Sag Harbor fundraiser attracted a number of notable figures from the political and business world. Among the event chairs were Sharon and Jon Corzine, Crystal McCrary McGuire and Ray McGuire, Brooke Garber Neidich and Dan Neidich, and Laurie Tisch. The Perry residence, known for housing works by renowned artists such as Frank Stella, Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, and Donald Judd, provided an impressive backdrop for the political gathering.
An invitation obtained by Page Six emphasized the exclusivity of the event, stating:
This is likely to be one of the last small events in the NY area before the election, so it is not to be missed.
The sudden change in speakers due to Hillary Clinton's illness did not seem to dampen enthusiasm for the event. A source close to the situation noted that the Clintons' involvement was not obligatory, saying, "They don't have to show at these things," and added that the switch was made on short notice.
Despite the last-minute change in lineup, the Hamptons fundraiser, along with another Democratic event held earlier the same day, proved to be highly successful. A source reported that the two events combined raised over $2 million in just four days, indicating strong support for the Harris campaign.
The previous function, held at the home of Michael Kempner, CEO of MWW and an acknowledged supporter of Clinton, was part of a dual-event strategy that seems to have been very successful. A source mentioned that these events together generated more than $2 million in just four days, indicating significant enthusiasm for Harris.
The fundraising success comes on the heels of Hillary Clinton's well-received appearance at the Democratic National Convention, where she reportedly received a standing ovation. However, it's worth noting that the convention itself was not without its health concerns, as multiple attendees later reported testing positive for COVID-19.
While Hillary Clinton's absence from the Hamptons event was unexpected, it appears to be part of a broader series of campaign activities for the Democratic Party. Earlier in the month, celebrities such as Joy Behar and Chris Rock were spotted at another Hamptons fundraiser for Governor Walz, where tickets reached up to $150,000.
The campaign trail is expected to continue heating up as the election approaches. Reports suggest that Vice President Harris will be appearing at a larger event in New York City in the near future, though specific details were not provided in the original article.
These high-dollar fundraisers in the Hamptons and other exclusive locales have long been a staple of presidential campaigns, offering candidates the opportunity to connect with wealthy donors and supporters in intimate settings.
Hillary Clinton's COVID-19 diagnosis led to her withdrawal from a significant Hamptons fundraiser for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Former President Bill Clinton and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff stepped in to speak at the event, which was held at the home of art collectors Lisa and Richard Perry. Despite the change, the fundraiser and another event held the same day raised over $2 million. This success indicates strong support for the Harris campaign as the election approaches, with more campaign events planned in the near future.
