One of Sussex County’s most successful Democratic fundraisers took place July 3 at the home of Lee Rubin and Jim Walker in the Canal Corkran section of Rehoboth. The event, dubbed "Rehoboth Comes Out for Kerry," raised $45,000 for John Kerry’s presidential campaign. (Pictured at right are Lee Rubin, Jeff Trammell, Susan Swan, and Paul Hazen.)

"When we started planning this event, I was told we would never be able to raise more than $10,000 at a political fundraiser in Rehoboth," said Paul Hazen, the event’s chair. "I thought we could do better, and set the goal at $25,000. But I have to say, I’m totally blown away by the incredible support that was shown by the hosts and attendees of the event.

"To raise $45,000 was beyond my wildest dreams!" said Hazen, CEO of a national business trade association based in Washington, D.C.

Jeff Trammell, the Kerry campaign’s National Co-Chair for the GLBT Community, said he was "energized" by the crowd of more than 200 supporters and 30 sponsors. He urged the attendees to go back to their individual communities, make sure their neighbors are registered to vote, and get them to the polls this November.

The event organizers had assistance from Sussex County for Kerry, a grassroots campaign organization with about 140 members. Susan Swan, coordinator of the group, encouraged both local residents and people with vacation homes in the area to join the campaign effort in Sussex County. "We are uniquely positioned to have tremendous outreach here, because we can influence voters from surrounding states—including battleground states—who come to Rehoboth in the summer," said Swan.