California senator Kamala Harris remains one of the clear favourites of Hollywood's big spenders.
Harris, 54, who was born in the US to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father who were both immigrants, is not leading the polls. There are more than 20 Democratic candidates eyeing the White House in the 2020 presidential run, and Harris seems to be a favourite among Hollywood donors.
The entertainment industry has supported her as a candidate for state office three times, and they are still backing the California senator.
“Even if she loses the nomination, she’s still going to be a U.S. senator from California,” Jack Pitney, professor at Claremont McKenna College, was quoted as saying by Variety. “If you’re on the business side, it helps to have good relations with the senator from California.”
According to her latest contribution report cited by Variety, Harris has received $2,800 apiece from Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, Jason Blum, and Bette Midler.
She has also received $5,600 from Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Anthony Anderson, and “Simpsons” writer Mike Scully.
She also got $5,000 from Alfre Woodard, and $1,000 apiece from producer Gale Anne Hurd and soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
Harris raised $11.6 million in total last quarter.
“I definitely think her strategy has been around ‘raise, raise, raise,’ and to build power in that way,” Hannah Linkenhoker, senior political strategist at ICM Partners, was quoted as saying.
Pete Buttigieg is Hollywood's second favourite, receiving $922,000 from the entertainment industry. Contributors include Michael J Fox, Seth MacFarlane, Jennifer Garner, Ellen Pompeo, Emmy Rossum and Ben Platt.
