The fund-raiser Jim and Kay Clayton hosted at their Sequoyah Hills home Monday for Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam’s gubernatorial run raised more than $200,000 and broke a record:
Precarious perch
More individuals have contributed to the Haslam campaign than have ever given to anyone at this stage in the race, campaign officials reported. As Haslam put it, “We have just finished the first quarter.” The Republican gubernatorial primary is Aug. 5, 2010, and the general election is Nov. 2, 2010.
The Claytons’ three-story 15,000-square-foot home overlooking the Tennessee River was packed inside and out with Haslam contributors who paid $250 each for the privilege. A good number of Democrats were spotted in the throng.
For a report on what Haslam said in his speech last night, please refer to our post here. It was the same speech. But there were some humorous moments Monday.
- Contractor Raja Jubran welcomed everyone to “Jim Clayton’s beautiful home” and introduced Clayton. When Clayton took the microphone, he pointed out that Jubran probably had a reason for that welcome. “Raja built this house,” he explained. “Warranty’s up!” Jubran shouted. “Lifetime warranty!” Clayton retorted.
- Haslam gave his speech after leaping onto a three-foot-high stone wall overlooking the Tennessee River so everyone could see and hear him. “You have to be a pretty good athlete just to get up here to speak,” he cracked.
- Marriage advice from Haslam: “If you ever want to owe your wife way more than you could ever pay back, run for office!”
- To potential candidates, he offered this: “Running for office is never something you should do just because you think it is interesting!”
- Don Parnell shook hands with Realtor Dick Brower as Brower and Sharon Bailey entered the Clayton kitchen. “Dick, it’s not for sale!” Parnell joked, referring to the Clayton manse. “Jim Clayton always says everything is for sale – it’s just a matter of agreeing to a price,” quipped a bystander (OK, that was me).
Here are just a few of the folks we spotted in the crowd: Tennessee Supreme Court Judge Sharon Lee; Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Charles Susano; County Commission Chair Tank Strickland and his wife, Terry; City Councilman Barbara Pelot and her husband, Reuben; Jimmy Haslam; Hannah Haslam; Pam Fansler; Mark and Joanne Hazelwood; Bill Regas and Janet Testerman Crossley; Russ Watkins; Nick Cazana; Carolyn Pointer and Rodney Neil; David Butler; Tim and Amy Williams; Larry Cox; Caesar and Dorothy Stair; Tom and Melissa McAdams; Duane Grieve; Laurens Tullock; Dr. Jan Henley; Mike Connor; Bill Pugh; Bruce and Terry Morgan; Sharon Donnell; Larry Martin; Janet McGaha, Bill and Gay Lyons; John Gill; Mark Cate; Margaret Maddox; Sharon and Joe Pryse; Robyn and Jerry Askew; Suzanne Schriver and David Rechter; Dan McGehee; Dick and Ann Goldstein; Betsy Child; Frank Rothermel; Patrick, John-David and Dottie Roddy; Mike Edwards; Rhonda Rice; and Doug Taber.
Full disclosure: Alan and I were listed as co-hosts of the event. That means we contributed $2,500 to it.
