Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift & Beyonce Concerts Are Hot Venue for Political Fundraisers in Washington, D.C.
Concert tours by artists like Justin Bieber and Beyonce have become the new venue for political fundraisers in Washington, D.C., according to Politico.
Political candidates have traditionally raised money for their campaigns by organizing events at upscale restaurants and hotels where they charge thousands to those who want to rub shoulders with the who's who in Washington. As these political insiders get younger, candidates are now moving their fundraisers to concerts that feature the hottest pop acts.
"It's a 'far cry different than the old, 'stop by the home of John Smith and have some crappy hors d'oeuvres,' " said Bryan Tackett, a lobbyist and president of Wexford Strategic Advisors. "I think, too, they are recognizing that the overpaid, younger lobbyist crowd is more likely to attend these events."
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Beyonce's The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour featured at least five congressional fundraisers: events for Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.).
Taylor Swift's concert in May included events by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and defense company Raytheon's PAC hosting a fundraiser for Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.).
Most of these shows take place at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., and artists are mostly unaware of their existence during the concert because they take place in a rented private skybox in the arena. Fundraisers that are held in a more laid-back setting like a concert, give donors - many of which are lobbyists looking to develop a working relationship with a politician - an opportunity to get to know the candidate in a whole new light.
"You get these folks in a different environment and what you hope to do is to create more of a relationship with people," said Lisa Spies, a Republican fundraiser who has put together multiple events at concerts.
