James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, is headlining a Hollywood fundraiser this Thursday in Los Angeles alongside Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), according to an invitation reviewed by The New York Times. The event, billed as “Two Visionaries, One Night,” is hosted by television producer Shonda Rhimes, “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof, and his wife, Heidi Lindelof.
Ticket prices range from $1,000 to $27,000, and the two lowest-priced tiers are already sold out. Donations from the event will be split evenly between Talarico’s and Ossoff’s separate campaign committees.
The fundraiser marks a notable shift in tone from Talarico’s campaign launch last September, when he stood in the bed of a rusted pickup truck and declared that billionaires and oligarchs had “taken over Texas” and “taken over America,” urging working people to unite and “take power back.”
“I’m running for the U.S. Senate. Billionaires have taken over Texas and taken over America — but together, we can take power back for working people.”
Talarico won the Democratic primary in March, defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). Since then, he has become one of the top Democratic fundraisers of the cycle, a status that now includes courting wealthy entertainment-industry donors.
Heidi Lindelof, one of the fundraiser’s hosts, serves as assistant secretary on the board of the Center for Reproductive Rights and describes herself as an advocate for women’s health and gender equity, in addition to her career in documentary filmmaking.
The Los Angeles event follows a pattern seen in recent Texas Democratic Senate and gubernatorial campaigns. Both Beto O’Rourke and Colin Allred relied heavily on Hollywood-based donors during their unsuccessful statewide bids.
Talarico’s campaign previously confirmed his involvement in the event to Politico before Ossoff’s participation was added, according to the Times report.
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