California Senate Race: Ben Affleck, Other Celebs Who Donated To California Politicians' Campaigns
Ben Affleck, Barbra Streisand, and many other famous names have given money to the campaigns of several Democrats competing in the race to fill California's Senate seat.
According to Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by TMZ, Hollywood opened their wallets for Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee as they ran for the seat previously held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died last fall.
Schiff's celebrity donors included Streisand ($1,500), actress Holland Taylor ($1,000), and "Star Trek" actor George Takei ($750), according to TMZ.
Bryan Cranston's wife Robin Dearden gave Schiff's campaign $6,600, while musician Herb Alpert dropped at least $3,300, the filings reportedly showed.
Schiff also received donations from "Grace and Frankie" star Lily Tomlin ($350), musician Jackson Browne ($400), rock legend Joan Jett ($275), and actress Diane Lane ($235).
Meanwhile, Affleck and his daughter, Violet, whom he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, each donated thousands of dollars to Lee's campaign.
The "Argo" director reportedly personally gave Lee at least $6,600, while his 18-year-old daughter donated $3,050.
Other famous names who contributed to Lee included Browne (at least $3,300), Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash ($2,500), and "Harold & Kumar" star Kal Penn ($500).
As for Porter, her campaign received at least $3,300 from Nash, $2,000 from music legend Bonnie Raitt, and $500 each from Susan Sarandon and Takei.
TMZ said it's possible that some of these stars gave more than the amount indicated above.
Republican Steve Garvey, a former MLB player and another leading contender in the California Senate race, did not appear to have received donations from any person who registered as an actor, musician or athlete with the FEC, the outlet noted.
In addition to cash, some stars vocally backed the campaigns of several Democrats.
John Legend publicly endorsed Lee, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt narrated an ad for Schiff.
On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that Schiff and Garvey won the Senate primary race in California, beating Porter and Lee.
They will compete in November for the Senate seat.
Meanwhile, for some of the stars who gave money to California's Senate candidates, this wasn't their first time donating to the campaign funds of politicians they support.
Affleck donated to then-California Sen. Kamala Harris' presidential campaign in 2019 as well as Hillary Clinton's campaign for the 2016 presidential election, CNN and Politico reported.
Streisand was also among Clinton's donors, while Sarandon contributed to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign.
