Democrats gearing up for the mid-terms are turning to their trusted allies in Hollywood for support. Walt Disney Co. chairman and CEO Bob Iger is leading the way and will host a half a dozen Democratic senators for a fundraiser next week.
According to Variety, the event on February 22 will seek “the maximum contribution of $32,400 per person, also will be hosted by Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and his wife Cindy Horn, a longtime environmental activist, according to an invite.”
In attendance will be Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will be helping to raise money for Bill Nelson of Florida, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.
Each of those senators face re-election in states that President Trump proved victorious in 2016. Joint fundraising committee Senate 2018 IMPACT has been formed to support them.
This certainly does not mark the first time Iger has hosted Democrats. In the past, the prominent donor hosted a fundraiser for both presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. As noted by Variety, some of Iger’s personal politics stand in contrast to the candidates supported.
“Disney and other studios pushed for the lowering of the corporate tax rate, which ultimately was dropped to 21% from 35%,” writes Variety. “Last month Iger announced $1,000 cash bonuses to each of its 125,000 employees, in addition to the launch of a new education initiative. Other companies, like AT&T and Comcast, also announced bonuses after the passage of the tax bill.”
All six candidates that Iger will be fundraising for voted against President Trump’s tax bill.
On the very same night of Iger’s fundraiser, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and California Gov. Jerry Brown will host an event in Santa Monica to raise money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.