Fred Baron, a top Jewish fundraiser for John Edwards, died Oct. 30 of cancer. He was 61. Baron is a Texan who was known as the “King of Torts” for his 30 years as a plaintiffs’ attorney representing clients injured by toxic substances.
In an interview in August, National Jewish Democratic Council President Marc Stanley said Baron had hosted a number of events sponsored by Dallas Jewish organizations at his home and called his friend “an exceedingly generous person” who “supports more people and causes than any individual I’ve ever met — only because I’ve never met Bill Gates.”
Stanley said Baron had always been motivated by tikkun olam. Baron’s name was in the news in August after it was revealed that he had provided financial help to Edwards’ mistress, Rielle Hunter. Baron is credited with providing the finances to help revive the Texas Democratic Party in recent years. — jta