WASHINGTON (AP) — From Ben Affleck and Susan Sarandon to Anna Wintour and Willie Nelson, celebrities lined up to provide cash — and a dash of star energy — to their favorite Democratic presidential candidates forward of this week's first quarter fundraising deadline.
For months, candidates within the crowded box of more than a dozen contenders have aggressively courted key figures in tune, television, publishing and movie, who are probably the most birthday celebration's most reliable sources of crusade money. however many donors continue to be on the sidelines, contributing to lackluster fundraising hauls, an early snapshot blanketed within the crusade finance experiences submitted to the Federal Election fee this week presents a glimpse of who's drawing attention from entertainment trade within the early levels of the race.
"if you happen to focus on Hollywood, yes, we are speakme about movie stars and writers and administrators, however we're additionally talking about individuals with a long time of experience with presidential campaigns," observed Yusef Robb, a longtime California political strategist. "earning guide from somebody with loads of connections within the political world couples with their star vigor, which people in the chattering courses observe."
California Sen. Kamala Harris has lengthy-standing relationships with major leisure business figures in her domestic state. but former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg are also among the candidates who count number celebrities as donors.
to date, few donors are bundling large sums of cash for candidates via asking their pals, family unit and colleagues to supply, too. however many have given individually, which is proscribed beneath crusade finance law to a $2,800 contribution during the primary election, adopted by means of yet another $2,800 earmarked for the ordinary election campaign.
remaining month, Harris become feted at the Pacific Palisades domestic of director J.J. Abrams and his spouse, Katie McGrath, in a gathering attended by Hollywood powerbrokers, together with tv hitmaker Shonda Rhimes. Harris also has acquired money from Affleck, who gave $2,800; actress Eva Longoria, who gave $5,four hundred; composer Quincy Jones, who gave $2,800; and former "Mad guys" megastar Jon Hamm, who gave $1,000.
O'Rourke, a former punk rocker, obtained $2,800 from a fellow Texan, country track icon Nelson, in addition to $1,850 from Grateful dead bassist Phil Lesh and $2,800 from former Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley. He additionally took in $5,600 from Vogue editor-in-chief Wintour, $1,500 from comedian and "Breaking dangerous" actor Bob Odenkirk, $2,500 from Texas film director Richard Linklater and $350 from "Saturday nighttime live" big name Cecily effective.
Sanders obtained $2,seven-hundred from actor and comedian Danny DeVito, $2,800 from actress Susan Sarandon, $2,500 from piano player Norah Jones and $1,000 from Foo opponents guitarist Christopher Shiflett. Jonathan Fishman, drummer for the jam band Phish, which became formed in Sanders' home state of Vermont, gave $1,000, while Thomas Middleditch from HBO's "Silicon Valley" gave $500, records reveal.
Buttigieg, whose crusade raked in $7 million after rising as an surprising hit, has also all started to draw celebrity attention. "West Wing" superstar Bradley Whitford gave $2,000, actor Ryan Reynolds donated $250, NFL community broadcaster wealthy Eisen gave $500 and "video game of Thrones" executive producer Carolyn Strauss chipped in $250.
Buttigieg also drew at the least one contribution from an atypical supply. James Murdoch, the son of conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox news is carefully allied with President Donald Trump, reduce Buttigieg a $2,800 donation, records show.
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This story has been corrected to exhibit that Boyd Tinsley is a former, no longer latest, Dave Matthews Band violinist.
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