Major Democratic fundraiser, Clinton friend Mark Weiner dies

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A major Democratic fundraiser, Clinton supporter and provider of merchandise to the Democratic National Convention has died in Rhode Island. Mark Weiner was 62.

Former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino said Weiner died Tuesday morning in Newport as he prepared to head to the convention, where his wife and son were delegates.

Weiner’s cause of death wasn’t immediately known, but he’d been treated for years for leukemia.

Weiner was supposed to be a delegate at this year’s convention, but the state party said he was replaced by his son because of his poor health.

Weiner’s company, Financial Innovations, has since 1980 provided the official campaign merchandise such as T-shirts and buttons for the DNC.

He is a longtime friend of the Clintons and was involved in Democratic presidential campaigns since 1976.