Hollywood figures made a giant displaying this afternoon as Vice President Kamala Harris was to make her first look at a Los Angeles fundraiser since turning into the Democratic nominee.
Held on the JW Marriott lodge in downtown Los Angeles, right this moment’s gathering was a mixture of huge donors prepared to pay virtually $1 million to be there and people shelling out simply $500, with value ranges offered out as of this morning.
About 1,500 folks had been packed right into a lodge ballroom for the occasion, with extra anticipated, and seated round a easy stage with the Harris-Walz brand and a big blue curtain because the backdrop. As Deadline completely reported on September 28, Alanis Morissette and Halle Bailey had been booked to carry out on the occasion. Morissette took the stage earlier within the afternoon and Bailey was to look later.
Among the many audio system was Keegan-Michael Key.
“That is an important election of our lifetime, for actual,” Key mentioned.
Among the many attendees had been marketing campaign co-chair Jeffery Katzenberg, Stevie Surprise, Lily Tomlin, and Watchmen boss and longtime Democratic donor Damon Lindelof and partner Heidi. In a visitor column for Deadline on July 3, Emmy winner Lindelof was the primary main Hollywood donor to publicly name for President Joe Biden to step apart after his debate debacle with Donald Trump on June 27 on CNN. The ex-Misplaced showrunner was quickly adopted by the likes of Rob Reiner and George Clooney as donations dried up for the marketing campaign.
Sterling Ok. Brown additionally was attending, in response to a supply. Harris was scheduled to talk later within the afternoon, after mingling with high-dollar donors at a reception and photograph line on the lodge.
Additionally noticed had been a smattering of brokers and trade publicists, together with Kristina Schake, Jeff Tobler, Alison Rou, Scott Rowe, Rita Cooper Lee and Kelly Bush Novak. On the political aspect, figures similar to former California Governor Grey Davis, Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) had been there. Padilla additionally spoke, as did Home Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Butler was to deal with the gang throughout the afternoon.
There additionally was heavy safety, with attendees greeted by armed Secret Service brokers.
Beginning simply after 2 p.m. PT, right this moment’s fundraiser was anticipated to be a giant draw, as Harris has but to headline an occasion in her adopted hometown since launching her presidential run on July 21. In truth, the occasion venue was simply across the nook from the place a clearly exhausted POTUS appeared with ex-president Barack Obama and Jimmy Kimmel on June 15 on the Peacock Theatre. That was the 81-year-old Biden’s final L.A. go to earlier than the viability of his candidacy earlier than a disaster for the Dems.
That’s a far cry from the enthusiastic marketing campaign Harris and operating mate Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota at the moment are conducting in what stays a good race.
Jetting in on Air Drive Two final night time from San Francisco, the place Harris was district legal professional for six years, the VP decamped at her and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s Brentwood dwelling earlier than whipping downtown for the fundraiser. With simply over 30 days left earlier than Election Day, the Vice President is leaving Sunday’s LA fundraiser to move on to LAX and fly to Las Vegas for a rally there this night.
Although a lot of the consideration for the election is on battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, this weekend’s double dipping within the Golden State is each a chance to place in a giant haul financially and provides some deep pocket donors some facetime.
There additionally has been rising focus amongst donors on down poll races. With Democrats only a handful of seats of reclaiming the Home majority, races in California and New York might decide if Hakeem Jeffries turns into the subsequent Speaker. Congressional candidates seemingly might be looking for a photograph or two with Harris, as she is anticipated to hold California by a large margin.
Harris’ marketing campaign occasions come as Walz prepares to debate Trump’s operating mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) on Tuesday of their first and solely match up. Coming off a really profitable debate efficiency towards Trump on Sept. 10, Harris has been difficult the ex-president to fulfill her for a second spherical on CNN Oct. 23. Trump has up to now refused.
The occasion raised cash for the Harris Victory Fund, a joint committee of her marketing campaign, the Democratic Nationwide Committee and state events.
Extra to come back.
