March
10 Al Franken's Hollywood Moment

Updated

Minnesota U.S. Senate candidate and comedian Al Franken raises money at the Brentwood home of Rob and Michele Reiner on Tuesday, a reminder that there's more than a presidential race coming up in November.

Franken has taken some heat from the Minnesota Republican party for raising money from Hollywood sources, but that line of argument will only go so far should he win the Democratic primary on Sept. 9. That's because he'd go up against Sen. Norm Coleman, whose wife is an actress.

Among those who are hosts of Franken fund-raiser are Jason Alexander, Clarence Avant, Ron Bass, James L. Brooks, Larry David, Laurie David, Peter Farrelly, Martin Shafer, Norman Lear, Michael Lynton, Caryn Mandabach, David Mandel, Mo Ostin, Garry Hart, Gary Ross, Meg Ryan, Bob Shaye, Stanley Sheinbaum, Stacey Snider, David O'Connor, Bradley Whitford, Peg Yorkin and Jerry Zucker, among others.

Tickets are $500, rising to $4,600 (give or raise) for a co-chair.

The pace of fund-raising for House and Senate candidates is bound to be brisk for much of the year, as Democrats hope to expand their majority.

In late January, former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen raised money at the home of Marcy Carsey in her bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Sununu.

On March 18, Rep. Tom Allen of Maine, running to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, will raise money at the Hancock Park home of producer Len Hill. The $250-per-person event is chaired by Hill, Mitch Kaplan and Nancy Stephens and Rick Rosenthal. Those on the host committee include J.J. Abrams, Daveen and Alan Fox and Noah Mamet.

Update: Al Franken's challenger in the primary, Mike Ciresi, drops out.