State Rep. Rodney Hubbard*, a candidate for the 5th District state senate seat soon to be vacated by the term-limited Sen. Maida Coleman, is holding one of the largest political fundraisers of the year this week.
National recording artist Nelly and his band of St. Lunatics are expected to make appearances, as are hometown rappers Jibbs and Vic Damone. Local political heavyweights, former mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr.; Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce; Aldermanic President Lewis Reed; and License Collector Mike McMillan, headline the host committee.
“We’re trying to really bring our region’s successful young hip-hop entrepreneurs into the political arena,” said Hubbard, who at 35 years-old considers himself part of the hip-hop generation.
“I appreciate the support of these artists who could spend their Thursday night anywhere in the world,” said Hubbard. “To come home to St. Louis to support my senate campaign means a lot.”
Congressman Lacy Clay, who has endorsed Hubbard, and Dr. Ben Chavis, former head of the national NAACP and president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, are also expected at the event. Chavis, who co-founded the Hip-Hop Summit with Russell Simmons, is a longtime supporter of Hubbard and of involving the hip-hop generation more in the political process.
The event will be Thursday night, from 9:00 until midnight, at J. Bucks, 1000 Clark Ave. in downtown St. Louis. Tickets are open to the general public at just $25. Tickets to an 8:00 VIP event are $100.
Listen to the radio commercial:
Here’s the invitation. Click to enlarge.
* Rodney Hubbard is a client of A D French and Associates (campaign management)
December 17th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Impressive event. Hubbard seems to be the frontrunner right now. Time will tell how strong a campaign Robin Wright Jones will lead. I can’t remember if she’s ever had a race before. Does anyone out there know? I am concerned tho about a white south side candidate sliding in like Jeff Smith did in the last race. Are there any other candidates besides Matt Villa talking about running? I don’t expect Antonio to give too much of his strategy away on the blog but maybe someone else knows what’s going on.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Robin has never had a real race, nothing highly competitive. Politics has changed in the last couple of decades.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Anony, you’re right about me not offering too much candid talk about the particulars of this race. But I will tell you this: It’s state representative Tom Villa, and not his grandson(?) Alderman Matt Villa, who is rumored to be considering a run for the state senate.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
More clean up language: Rep. Jones has had competitive races. They have been in the general against a republican so she knows how to run a “real” campaign. Secondly, Matt Villa is not the grandson of Tom.
Lastly, let’s not forget that there is no law that says that only current State Representatives can run for the Senate. Who knows who else will get in the race….
December 18th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Hubbard has hip hop artists and political heavyweights? What a joke!
December 18th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Stop Hatting on the Young Black MAN in the END he will WIN!!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Last I heard, these “hip-hoppers” were also millionaires! I bet other politicians wish they had millionaires throwing parties for them too. Hate on, haters!!!
December 19th, 2007 at 6:53 am
please don’t admire anyone because of their $$$. Adolph Hilter was extremely rich. David Duke is a millionaire
December 19th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
It’s the wild-wild west again finaly a state senator who dresses
great,can shoot a pistol and not bad at policy. Maybe we found a replacement for Jet. Oh yeah raise that hip hop money to pay back those donors so the ethics commison
stays off your ass.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
while you busy hatin on Hubbard…do you know a think about Robin Wright Jones (good or bad). This lady is running on a name that doesn’t even mean anything in St. Louis anymore. I look forward to Hubbard taking the seat.