No jacket required at Clinton fundraiser

When former President Bill Clinton arrives in Tallahassee on Friday, he won’t be wearing a jacket or tie.

And you shouldn’t either, if you’re going to the private fundraiser he’s headlining at the home of Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant and her husband, noted trial attorney Barry Richard.

Tant, in an email Thursday, asked donors who are going to the fundraiser for Hillary Clinton to refrain from overdressing.

“NO JACKETS or TIES for men,” she said. “The president is not wearing a jacket and tie and we don’t want him to feel under-dressed!”

Tickets for the morning fundraiser, which is closed to the general public and the press, are $500 for the general reception, $1,000 for preferred viewing and $2,700 — the legal max — for a “champion” ticket, which includes a photo with the former president. Folks on Tant’s email list were given a link to buy discounted tickets at $250 a pop.

“Dress for comfort,” she said in the email. “We will be outside on my back patio. I have tents, fans and umbrellas set up for shade and comfort but please dress comfortably!”

Clinton, who would become the country’s first “first gentleman” if his wife wins the presidency, has a long history of Tallahassee visits, dating back to his first run for the White House in 1992. He campaigned here in 2014 for Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Tallahassee, and in 2012 for President Obama.

"Thank you, everyone, for helping to welcome a former president to our community who is here on such a personal mission for his wife," Tant said. "I appreciate you."

Last month, he stumped for his wife at Florida A&M University on the eve of the Florida primary, which she handily won. A few days before that, the former first daughter, Chelsea Clinton, visited the Woman’s Club of Tallahassee and Earley’s Kitchen to help get out the vote.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.