Advertisement

Hillary Clinton to hold first Hollywood fundraisers May 7

Hillary Clinton attends the 2015 DVF Awards at the United Nations on Thursday in New York City.

Hillary Clinton attends the 2015 DVF Awards at the United Nations on Thursday in New York City.

(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)
Share

Hollywood is getting ready to pitch in for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign.

Less than two weeks after the former secretary of State officially announced she was running, Clinton’s supporters in the film and TV industry already have lined up several fundraising events when she visits Los Angeles on May 7.

The events will kick off with a breakfast in Westwood at the home of Catherine Unger, where 125 people are expected to attend, organizers said.

Steven and Dana Bochco will hold a luncheon reception at their home in Pacific Palisades. The event, hosted by Debbie and Sim Farar, is expected to draw about 350 people and will feature Sen. Barbara Boxer as a special guest.

Advertisement

The Farars sent an email to Clinton supporters Thursday night inviting them attend and contribute to the campaign. The events are $2,700 per person (or $5,400 per couple), which is the legal maxium.

“Cohosts and hosts will have the opportunity to take a photo with Hillary,” the email said. “Your early support and investment will enable the campaign to build the data, digital, and organizing tools necessary to compete.”

A third fundraiser will be held at the Beverly Park home of media mogul Haim Saban and his wife, Cheryl.

That event will have at least 500 guests, organizers said. Cohosts include Casey Wasserman and his wife, Laura, as well as DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Jefrey Katzenberg.

Hollywood is considered one of the most important sources of money for Democratic presidential candidates. A single fundraiser for President Obama at the home of actor George Clooney in 2012 famously raised $15 million for Obama’s reelection campaign, among the biggest single-night hauls in political fundraising history.

Some prominent Democratic backers are still on the fence. But political consultants said they expect that Hollywood power players — most of whom are squarely on the left — will come out in full support for a Clinton candidacy. In contrast to the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, when loyalties were divided between Clinton and then-Sen. Barack Obama, this time, Clinton faces little primary competition.

Advertisement

Clinton has already lined up backing from some of the industry’s most prominent leaders, including Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and “Girls” creator Lena Dunham.

“I’ve never seen so many people not only willing to contribute but willing to ask their friends and colleagues to contribute too!” said Andy Spahn, a political consultant who represents Katzenberg and Spielberg.

Twitter: @rverrier

Advertisement