An all-star group of Hollywood's biggest Democratic fundraisers are teaming up to raise money for Cory Booker's U.S. Senate race on September 23, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Ron Burkle is set to host the event, with tickets ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, at his house with Matt Damon. Other co-hosts for the evening affair include Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Jerry Weintraub, J.J. Abrams and wife, Katie McGrath, Michael Eisner, Troy Carter, WME co-CEO Patrick Whitesell, talent agency head Bob Gersh, Disney exec Sean Bailey, Netflix's Ted Sarandos and former U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant.
The gathering will mark the second major Hollywood fundraiser for Booker's Senate bid.
Meanwhile, THR has learned that President Barack Obama's Los Angeles fundraiser on September 9 is expected to raise about $1.2 million for the Democratic National Committee. The event -- which will be capped at 35 people -- will include an informal Q&A session with the president at TV producer Marta Kauffman's home in Hancock Park. Tickets for that gathering are $32,400 per person.
Hollywood is clearly ramping up its Democratic fundraising in advance of the crucial 2014 midterm elections, the results of which easily could determine the success or failure of Obama’s second term.
Booker already has emerged as the entertainment industry’s “it guy” for this election cycle. In April, Weintraub hosted a major fundraiser for Booker, bringing in an estimated $500,000 of the mayor's Senate bid.
