CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Democratic Party will hold its largest fundraiser of the year this weekend. The Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Saturday night will celebrate the career of U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller.
“The commitment to West Virginia and what he has done is unbelievable,” according to state Democratic Party Chairman Larry Puccio. “This is our way of saying, ‘Thank you.'”
Rockefeller announced earlier this year he would not run for reelection in 2014 after 50 years in West Virginia politics. Vice President Joe Biden will be on hand to honor the senior senator. Puccio said even after the party had to postpone the dinner due to the partial federal shutdown last month, Biden was determined to attend the event.
“When it needed to be rescheduled they did everything they could, [Biden’s] staff, to be able to have him come back in and be with us,” explained to Puccio. “He made it clear he did want to participate in this event to honor the senator.”
Rockefeller and Biden have served in the U.S. Senate together for 27 years.
Puccio said this is the biggest Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in many years. More than 1,800 people have registered to attend. It’s a sellout.
“We’ve seen so many people [make reservations] that we haven’t seen at dinners or functions for many, many years. They just want to be involved, show up and show support for the senator and his family,” explained Puccio.
It’s a good year for the party to have a big turnout at the dinner said Puccio. The money raised will go into the coffers to help elect Democrats during 2014 election.