'Wine Country for Obama' Advance Fundraising Totals $75,000

Advance fundraising for the Sept. 20 "Wine Country for Obama" has already raised $75,000 for President Obama’s national re-election campaign, according to local organizers.

“We’ve had an incredible response from Sonoma County and expect to sell out soon,” said lead host Tony Crabb. 

 Crabb said Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire will deliver the keynote address at the 6 p.m. event at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa. 

“We are thrilled Gov. Gregoire has agreed to headline our fundraiser," Crabb said.  "The Governor has a national resume and has impressed the entire Democratic Party with her leadership on same-sex marriage and other issues crucial to all of us.”

  Local sponsoring officials include Assembly member Jared Huffman, County Supervisors Shirlee Zane, Efren Carrillo and Mike McGuire, District Attorney Jill Ravitch, candidate for County Supervisor Susan Gorin, and Windsor Mayor Debora Fudge among others.

Two national groups, Obama for America’s Women’s Leadership Forum and the LGBT Leadership Council, will host the cocktail reception that will feature campaign updates by Jamie Citron, National LGBT Vote Director, Kathy Levinson, Co-chair of the LGBT Leadership Council and Tammy Paster, Director of the Women’s Leadership Council.

Local philanthropists Barbara Grasseschi and Tony Crabb, owners of Puma Springs Vineyards, are serving as the lead sponsors. Grasseschi and Crabb, along with Bev Scottland, Brenda Regan, and Eric Harrison, got involved early on to make the local fundraiser happen.

“There are a few tickets left for the event at $50 each. Sponsorships are available at $500, $1,000 or $2,500 levels and all sponsors will listed.

For more information about the event or to purchase a ticket, go to: https://my.barackobama.com/September20LGBTreceptio