Hollywood's Democratic activists may still be uncertain about which way to jump in California's gubernatorial race, but many of the industry's heavy political hitters already are lining up behind San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris in her run for state attorney general.
On Tuesday evening, authors Lisa Jones Johnson and Jarone Johnson, along with actor-businessman Brent Bolthouse, director Brett Ratner, and Eric Dane ("Grey's Anatomy"), hosted a cocktail party to celebrate Harris' candidacy with a crowd of guests who paid as much as $5,000 to meet the young prosecutor at the Johnsons' elegant Los Angeles home. A little more than a week ago, Harris was the guest of honor at a luncheon hosted by former studio head and longtime Democratic stalwart Sherry Lansing. Guests, including Cheryl Saban, Elizabeth Wiatt and Judge Diane Wayne, listened to Harris speak -- and, afterward, several pulled out their datebooks to schedule fundraisers of their own.
Actually, the Hollywood buzz surrounding the 44-year-old Harris began even before she decided to run for AG. As an early Barack Obama supporter, she was one of the first on the campaign trail and was almost immediately recognized in the entertainment circles as a rising star.
By spring, she was a frequent visitor at the estates of Beverly Park and Brentwood, this time campaigning on behalf of her own candidacy. Everywhere she went, the crowds were wowed. She's articulate and beautiful, sort of like a political version of Halle Berry.
"If we learned one thing from Hollywood's early and active support of Barack Obama," says Harris' campaign manager, Brian Brokaw, "it's that the entertainment community has an eye for new leadership and innovative ideas. Kamala Harris' 'smart on crime' approach as district attorney has produced incredible results in San Francisco, resulting in the highest conviction rates in nearly 15 years while also striving to prevent crime before it happens.
"She is also a trailblazer as the first woman to serve as district attorney of San Francisco and the first African American D.A. in California. I believe her life story and vision for reforming California's criminal justice system resonates with not only Hollywood but also with Californians from all walks of life."
It's likely that Harris will face a crowded field during next year's primary. Other Democrats on record as possible contenders include former Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Facebook executive Chris Kelly, and Assemblymen Ted Lieu, Pedro Nava and Alberto Torrico.
