About a dozen Republicans demonstrated outside the venue of a Democratic candidate fundraiser this afternoon that hosted U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Ca., in Sun City.

Democratic candidate Julie Bornstein, who is running against U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, for the 45th Congressional District seat, shook hands and chatted with Republicans holding McCain/Palin signs before going to her fundraiser.

"Thank you for stopping by," Bornstein told them. "It's important for people to be a part of the political process."

The group insisted they were not protesting the fundraiser.

“This is purely a Republican welcome to Sen. Boxer and Julie Bornstein,” said Drew Sweatte, who organized the event.

“We’re not here to protest her. We’re here to show them this is Republican country.”

After the Feb. 5 super primary, Democrats in the valley accounted for 38 percent of registered voters and Republicans 44 percent.

Passing cars honked and waved while some gave hand gestures.

About 200 people turned out to meet Boxer at the Bornstein campaign fundraiser.

Boxer talked about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s unfitness for vice president, the Wall Street bailout and the Bush administration’s “feverish deregulations” that caused the stock market melt down.

She then touted Bornstein’s experience in the state Assembly in the 1990s and as director of the California Department of Housing under Gov. Gray Davis.

“If ever this was a time to have Julie Bornstein in Congress, this is the moment,” Boxer said. “At the end of the day, what caused all this is the housing crisis. You have here a housing expert.”

After a 20-minute chat, Boxer made a hasty departure to prepare for a trip to Florida to stump for presidential candidate Barrack Obama.

Read more about the event in tomorrow’s Desert Sun.