Show Biz Still Supports the Democrats

We're at the midway point of 2010, and Hollywood is still showering money on Democrats, even with the House and Senate in play.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Democrats have drawn 73% of contributions from show biz donors, including individuals and political action committees. Republicans have drawn 27%. That is just slightly less than the 78% to 22% split the last election cycle in 2008, and ahead of the 64% to 35% split in the last midterm cycle in 2006. The figures are for federal races only.

Comcast delivered the most contributors (in the form of employees and PACs) by far, a total of $2.1 million to candidates, 64% to Democrats and 35% to Republicans. In fact, of the top 20 donors, only Clear Channel Communications and Chartwell Partners, the latter led by longtime GOP donor Jerry Perenchio, gave a majority of money to the GOP.

The top recipient of entertainment money was Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), having collected $329,800. The top Republican recipient was Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), with $97,050.

Although a corporate political action committees have a tendency to spread the wealth among candidates in both parties, the Open Secrets figures indicate that entertainment PACs have been leaning toward Democrats. The top recipient of show biz PAC money was Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), with $82,500. He chairs the House Commerce and Energy Committee, which has oversight of communications issues. The top Republican recipient was Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), with $66,750. Other top PAC recipients include Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Schumer and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas). Lincoln inserted a passage into financial reform banning the trading in box office futures, but many of her entertainment contributions come before the controversy over such trading erupted in March.

The figures are as of June 13. New data is expected soon as July 15 was the deadline for second quarter finance reports.