Presidential candidate Ben Carson visited Wilmington on Friday, Jan. 8, attending an event near Wrightsville Beach held by first-time hosts of a political fundraiser.
From their home on Summer Rest Road overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Jimmy and Libby Neil had nearly 100 guests at the Friday evening event that raised money for the Republican candidate’s campaign.
Carson was at the home for nearly two hours, as he first addressed a private group, then spoke to the larger assembled group before shaking hands and taking pictures with donors.
“It was a great opportunity to listen to a remarkable American speak,” said Jimmy Neil, who works as general manager at Live Oak Bank, specializing in pharmacy lending.
He and his wife have never hosted a political fundraiser at any level, but decided to after speaking with a friend in New Orleans about his experiences last year hosting Dr. Carson, who established a career as a renowned surgeon before entering politics.
“I heard it was a great event and about how good of a person he was, so I reached out to his campaign and explored doing the same,” Neil said.
The challenges to hosting the event came mainly in the logistics and planning, which Neil said his wife Libby organized. That included setting up valet parking for the guests, as the street has limited parking options. Their neighbors donated some space on their property, Neil said. Pine Valley Market catered the event.
In addition to the guests, there were several police cars and vehicles used by the Secret Service around the house that evening. More than a dozen law enforcement or security personnel were present.
Guests to the event paid $250 for a ticket, with the opportunity to hear a speech from Carson and get their photo taken with the candidate. About 15 individuals bought VIP tickets for $1,000, where Neil said they received a private audience with Carson before addressing the full house.
Guests said they enjoyed the event and having the opportunity to meet Carson, who they said was especially impressive in his spoken remarks.
“He’s a modern-day Abraham Lincoln,” said Mindy Magleone of Wilmington.
Sheri Frost, of Wilmington, said his topics included health care and the budget, and that she enjoyed meeting the candidate.
“I got to shake his hand. He’s a great guy,” she said.
Sherry Snyder also found substance in Carson’s speech.
“He’s brilliant. He has a plan,” she said.
Neil said he was also impressed with Carson’s story.
“He’s a really good American. He’s got a great message and would be a good leader,” Neil said. “Nothing was given to him in life. He struggled as a child, but he worked hard, learned about the world and turned out to be a successful person.”
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