Our Taxpayer Dollars at Work

OK, Jennifer Brunner is an elected public official of the State of Ohio, our Secretary of State.  As such, she is paid by the taxpayers...and although salaried, is during the business day, on the pay of the taxpayers who pay her salary (not just those that elected her).

Here is Jennifer at NetRoots Nation, a special interest event made of of "Progressives" (read Communists, Anarchists and Socialists).  

Was Jennifer taking the salary of the taxpayers of Ohio when she attended this special interest political event in Pittsburgh, Pa?

If Ms. Jennifer was attending as a candidate for Senator from Ohio, did she not take pay from the taxpayers for this trip?  And if this was a campaign event, what campaign organization is paying for this?  Her old Secretary of State organization or her Senatorial Committee?