Herschends hold Huckabee fundraiser

Fundraising for the 2016 presidential campaign of former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is underway in southwest Missouri.

According to second-quarter finance reports filed July 15 with the Federal Election Commission, Huckabee for President Inc. raised roughly $2 million in contributions during the three months ending June 30, with approximately $59,780 contributed by Missourians.

Thousands of dollars were raised June 26 in Branson, during a private fundraiser at Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center hosted by Herschend Family Entertainment co-owner Jack Herschend. The meet-and-greet for the two-time presidential candidate was held prior to a public celebration at the Branson waterfront hotel for Herschend and wife Sherry’s 61st wedding anniversary.

“Mike couldn’t get over it because it was so different than most fundraisers,” Sherry Herschend said, noting about 50 people attended the fundraiser.

Per person donations of $2,700 served as admission, representing roughly $135,000 in total donations.

Huckabee, who officially declared his candidacy for the nation’s highest publicly elected office in May, also appeared as a guest speaker at the anniversary party, attended by around 400 people, Herschend said.

“It was an anniversary surprise to me from Jack,” Sherry Herschend said of the celebration, noting Herschend Family Entertainment and Silver Dollar City employees volunteered their time to help set up the event and Chateau on the Lake donated desserts. Silver Dollar City musical act The Homestead Pickers provided the soundtrack for an evening square dance.

The $2,700 donation is the maximum individuals can give to a candidate’s committee for the primary and general elections. The committee must refund general election contributions within 60 days if the candidate drops out before or loses in the primary.

Another Huckabee fundraiser is scheduled Aug. 25 in The Dogwood banquet room at Evergreen Historic Automobiles in Lebanon, with sponsorships starting at $1,000, according to MoScout.com.[[In-content Ad]]