Eastern Washngton Democrats Plan Big Fundraiser Frank Schaefer The Keynote Speaker

Democrats from throughout the state’s 4th Congressional District are combining forces to host their first-ever gala fundraiser, Nov. 12 in Yakima.

The event, which begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by a 6:45 roast beef and salmon buffet, will be held in Pioneer Hall in State Fair Park in Yakima.

Keynote speaker is Frank Schaeffer, best-selling author, filmmaker, public speaker and frequent guest on television talk shows. He is also the son of the late Francis Schaeffer, a well-known evangelist and leader of the religious right.

The younger Schaeffer, 59, followed in his father’s footsteps to become a popular evangelist and speaker. However, in the 1980s he broke with his father’s philosophy, saying he was disillusioned with the influence of the religious right on politics. He felt the political climate had become too divisive and advocated more civility.

His break with conservative politics and the religious right was cemented with his autobiography, "Crazy for God: How I Grew Up As One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back," published in 2007.

Mary Stephenson, chairwoman of the Yakima Democratic Party, said that Schaeffer’s high profile should make for an interesting event.

"This is the first time we’ve ever done something on this level as a congressional district," she said.

Ralph Crowl, chairman of the Tri-Cities Democratic Party, expects the banquet to sell out. "Schaeffer has tremendous visibility nationwide and is a leading speaker on the separation of church and state."

Tickets, which cost $100 per person or $150 for two, can be ordered from Stephenson, 509-452-7197, or Crowl, 509-551-3493.

More information is available on friendsofthefourth.org