Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee, will be in Knoxville for a private fundraiser Thursday but will not attend a rally of Knox County Democrats as originally planned.
The fundraiser will be at the home of Leanne and Rusty Comer, 7151 Sir Arthur Way, in the Deane Hill area beginning at 6:30 p.m. Their son, Scott, is employed at the DNC.
Knox County Democrats planned to have a rally at their headquarters at 311 Morgan St., which Wasserman Schultz was to attend before the fundraiser, but Cameron Brooks, party chairman, said he was notified Wednesday she would not be at the public event.
“When the head of the Democratic Party comes to our community it is my belief that they should be accessible to everyone, not just those with the means to give money. I am extremely disappointed that her appearance at our rally was canceled,” Brooks said.
Young Democrats may attend for $50 minimum and general admission is $250 minimum per person, Democrats said.
Bill Owen, a former state senator who represents Tennessee on the DNC, said he hopes to tape Wasserman Schultz for the Democratic TV program on Community Television while she’s here. She represents the 23rd District in Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We’re very excited about having the chairman of the DNC. We think the Democratic Party in Knox County is working hard and will work to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president,” said Owen, a Clinton supporter.
Wasserman Schultz is getting flak nationally, particularly from the supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for president, for her handling of some campaign issues. There is talk of possibly replacing her before the Democratic National Convention in July in Philadelphia. Politico reported Sanders recently endorsed her opponent in the Democratic primary in Florida, Tim Canova.
TRAINING WOMEN: The Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus, which describes itself as a multi-partisan organization promoting full and equal participation of women in government, hosts a political workshop today in Knoxville to encourage more women to get involved in politics.
The caucus, which has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, is having the workshop from 2-4 p.m. at 311 Morgan St., where the Knox County Democratic Party headquarters is located and which serves as the headquarters of former state Rep. Gloria Johnson, seeking re-election in November.
The workshop will be led by Gabby Salinas, the caucus president, and Deidre Malone of the Carter Malone Group, both of Memphis.