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There seems to be no real pattern to how LA's most active Democrats are aligning with either Wendy Greuel or Eric Garcetti (and a smattering for the others) in the race for mayor. It's all about personal relationships, one local Dem told me. It's the same in Hollywood — where both candidates have their loyalists. From Tina Daunt in the Hollywood Reporter:
The mayoral race suddenly is pitting mogul against mogul, agent against agent...."If you have a heartbeat in Hollywood, you have been approached about donating to Wendy or Eric," says UTA's Jay Sures, a backer of Greuel, 51. "It is splitting the town. I've sent out invites to fundraisers on more than one occasion and received responses that said: 'So sorry. I'm on the other side.' "
Greuel's industry roots date to her pre-politics career as an executive at DreamWorks, a connection that has won her the support of Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen as well as newer fans Ron Meyer, Tom Hanks and Haim Saban. But Garcetti, 42, has won praise for his representation of the Hollywood area and his advocacy for entertainment labor groups and tax incentives.
"He really cares about making a difference," says Salma Hayek, who is endorsing Garcetti along with Michael Eisner, Showtime's David Nevins, attorney Kenneth Ziffren and Michael Ovitz. Jamie Lee Curtis, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kevin Spacey, CAA's Kevin Huvane, UTA's Jim Berkus and Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer also are among his supporters. Sony's Eric Paquette is Garcetti's campaign finance director and calls his candidate "the strongest advocate for our industry."
With that type of interest in the campaign, Hollywood contributions have reached the $1 million mark, which most observers think is a record. And more is coming: Sures and his wife, interior designer Molly Isaksen, will co-host a Greuel fundraiser at their historic home -- the Fred MacMurray house in Brentwood -- with UTA's Jeremy Zimmer and Jeremy Barber on February 24. CAA agent Michael Kives and consultant Noah Mamet, will co-host a Greuel fundraiser at Soho House on Feb. 11 with J.J. Abrams and wife Katie McGrath, Zooey Deschanel, Chelsea Handler, Tobey Maguire, Kate Hudson, CAA's Bryan Lourd and Sarah Silverman.
On Feb. 7, Moby, Will Ferrell and Jimmy Kimmel will headline a Garcetti event at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood.
Similar themes in a post by Variety's Ted Johnson at the blog Wilshire and Washington:
With the March 5 primary just four weeks away, the sexiest issues in the Los Angeles mayor's race seem to be pensions and the city's financial health. So it's no wonder the leading candidates are looking to put a starry shine on their campaigns, wooing Hollywood to gain the perception of momentum -- or maybe even grab on to the real thing.
Overall, as of Sept. 30, Hollywood had contributed almost $1 million to the race, according to local outlets KPCC and NBC4. That's a significant chunk of the total raised, and can be particularly effective in the traditionally low turnout of a city election.
Graphic: The Hollywood Reporter
