Colorado group set to honor Gwatney
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/234885/
Bill Gwatney, the state Democratic Party chairman who was murdered Aug. 13, will be honored Monday by a group in Denver.
State party spokesman Darinda Sharp said Wednesday that the Colorado chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will give an award that will be accepted by former Arkansas Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher on Gwatney’s behalf during a luncheon.
The luncheon will be in association with the Democratic National Convention next week but isn’t an official convention function, Sharp said.
The award was planned for Gwatney, 48, of Little Rock before his death, she said.
Gwatney was finance chairman for Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe’s successful 2006 election. Beebe raised $ 6. 5 million, more money than any other candidate in Arkansas history.
A representative of the fundraising group didn’t return a phone message to answer why Gwatney won the award.
The Arkansas delegation to the convention will give a tribute to Gwatney during a party Tuesday evening. Sharp said there is a possibility of an official convention activity next week honoring Gwatney, but that hasn’t been decided.