Vice President JD Vance headed to Naples for private fundraiser

NAPLES, Fla. —

The vice president is set to make a brief stop on the Gulf Coast for a private, high-dollar fundraiser in Naples.

Mercedes Price-Harry, chair of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee, says the White House reached out directly for local help ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Southwest Florida.

Price-Harry says Vance’s team contacted her Friday, asking whether she could help line up volunteers for local needs once he arrives in the area.

“They reached out asking if I had any available volunteers,” Price-Harry said. “I would more than happy to help. And I did the best that they could to gather up some volunteers for them."

The visit centers around a private fundraiser in the Naples area. While Price-Harry says details are limited, she describes it as a high-dollar event, potentially with ticket prices reaching into the six figures.

“It’s going to be a very significant fundraiser,” she said. “I think this is just going to further compound people's interest in our area."

Price-Harry says this marks Vance's first appearance in the area in his current role.

“We've been trying to get the vice president to the Southwest Florida area to speak at one of our events,” Price-Harry said. "That's a really tall order and a difficult thing to do, but we're not going to stop trying. So, it's an honor to have him down here. It's exciting."

She says the excitement extends beyond politics, pointing to Naples’ growing national profile.

“Naples has become a bastion for conservative politics,” Price-Harry said. “It's good for our economy. People come to Naples just because they've heard of great places like proceed to table, or because other conservative influencers and politicians come to the area."

Vance is expected to fly in for the fundraiser and leave shortly after.

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