A few weeks after Hillary Clinton fired up her 2016 presidential campaign at the Women in the World Summit in New York City, she began a series of smaller invitation-only fund-raisers. Hoboken Councilwoman Beth Mason was invited to one of five $2,700 per-ticket fund-raisers by Susan Thomases, an attorney that represented Clinton when she was First Lady.
After she and Bill Clinton left the White House, Hillary Clinton served as U.S. Senator for New York and most recently, secretary of state under President Barack Obama.
Clinton scheduled five fundraisers over two days in April, events which have been described as low-key affairs in private homes hosted by a number of longtime supporters. She also scheduled several in Washington D.C. in April, and has more set in New York City for early June.
Some of the hosts for these events included Lisa Perry, a prominent Clinton supporter; Pace Gallery founder Arne Glimcher and his wife Milly, who supported Obama in 2008; and Doug Teitelbaum, founder of Homewood Capital LLC, another long time Clinton supporter.
Among her following, Clinton retains strong support. Mason said she always has been a strong Clinton supporter.
Mason and her husband are also major financial contributors to the Democratic party.
A meet and greet
Mason called it “a meet and greet” that allowed her to have an extended conversation with Clinton.
“There were [fewer] than 100 people,” Mason said, noting that she and Clinton had already a working relationship. “I worked with the Clintons before and I have known Hillary for more than 20 years. I supported her last time she ran for president.”
Clinton is a huge advocate for women’s rights, including equal pay.
“I have two daughters, and this is a big thing,” Mason said. “I want my girls to participate and get involved in this election. They will be voting for the first time for president, and Hillary is a good role model. She represents the concept of equality. She would be the first woman president. This would allow us to catch up with a number of other countries around the world. We’re behind on that.”
“She is more than ready for this campaign.” – Beth Mason
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“She has experience as secretary of state and first lady that other candidates do not have,” Mason said. “This is needed today, especially with the international situation we’re in. People are frightened and need someone who can deal with these problems. Hillary has a plan that can help address these concerns.”
But her conversation with Clinton at the fundraiser was not about gushing, but about practical issues both women had in common, Mason said.
“We talked about small business,” Mason said. “As a small business owner myself, I know some of the problems faced. Hoboken has a lot of small business and they are facing a lot of challenges. This is particularly true since (the downturn in the economy in) 2008. She said she has a plan for that.”
Education was also another topic they touched upon, and the need to bolster educational opportunities on every grade level from preschool to college.
“That’s our future, and we have to hope to make the future better so that young people can carry on,” Mason said.
Another issue involved how the world is changing under the impact of technology.
“She wants to build an economy of tomorrow, not yesterday,” Mason said.
The event lasted more than an hour, and gave those who attended a glimpse into the Clinton campaign.
“She is more than ready for this campaign,” Mason said.
Clinton connected with each of the people there, trying to bring them all on board and make them all feel needed, Mason said.
“She talked to each of us one on one,” Mason said. “For me, it was great to know her and see her grow.”
Working on election
Back home in Hoboken, Mason is one of several people seeking to become chairman of the Hoboken Democratic Party. Rumors have swirled for more than a month about who will be the contender. Mason is a political opponent of Mayor Dawn Zimmer, also a Democrat, so there has been much debate over who should get the nod.
“She’s ideal for the job,” said former Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia, who is among Mason’s strongest backers in the upcoming committee vote in June. “If she was named chairperson, she could do what she does best and help get the vote out for Hillary.”
But Mason said regardless of the outcome of the committee vote, she is already involved in the Clinton campaign.
“It’s important to have a grass roots campaign,” Mason said. “So I’m organizing, getting volunteers and trying to energize people. We need to get people involved in this election – especially young people.”
She said she is striving to bring everybody possible into the political mix to support Clinton, including those powerful people Mason is connected with on a state level.
“But not just in this state,” she said. “It takes everybody working together to get her elected. We have already started register new voters.”
Will Mason try to bring Clinton to Hudson County?
“I would love to have Hillary come here,” she said.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.