Sarasota Democrats are hoping to rally some momentum with a concert fundraiser, after this week’s election results have the party bullish on its midterm prospects.
The event is called “Rise Up Sarasota: Let Freedom Sing!” and was described by the local party as a “High-Energy, Community Focused Concert.” Expected to perform is Stu Cook of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, Raleigh Mosely, and the Harvest House choir. The keynote speaker will be U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-California).
Democratic Party Chair David Dean said the event is designed to unite the party as it turns its attention to the 2026 midterm elections.
“We are living through an important moment — one that history will remember not just for loud voices, but for the steady courage of everyday people who showed up and stood together,” Dean said in a statement. “Our goal is simple: To bring our community together and inspire support for our local and state candidates in the 2026 elections”
Dean, a former computer programmer for Pfizer, a global pharmaceutical company, was elected to chair the Sarasota County Democratic Party in March.
Trying to elect Democrats in Sarasota County is less like an uphill battle and more like a vertical free solo climb up El Capitan. Longtime Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates was upended last November by former County Commissioner Mike Moran, and with her election loss, so went the last county-wide elected democrat. Although conservatives were handed two losses in the School Board races – with the election of Liz Barker and reelection of Tom Edwards – those races are technically nonpartisan.
Tickets for the concert are $50 a head; it will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Circus Arts Conservatory (2075 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota) on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@usatodayco.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com. Follow the Herald-Tribune on Instagram
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Stu Cook, Congressman Ted Lieu to headline Sarasota Democratic event
Reporting by Christian Casale, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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