Sherrod Brown taps Hollywood for 2026 bid
Fox News reports that former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, running to reclaim his seat in 2026, has raised at least $1.2 million from Hollywood-linked donors per FEC filings and will attend a Los Angeles fundraiser this week hosted by Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman and his wife, with a suggested $10,000 contribution. The piece lists prominent donors including Aaron Sorkin, Will Ferrell, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and Elizabeth Banks, and notes prior Q3 data showing a large share of out-of-state contributions.
đ Key Facts
- FEC filings indicate at least ~$1.2 million to Brown from California film-industry donors.
- Upcoming Hollywood fundraiser hosted by Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman and wife Jill; invite suggests $10,000 per attendee.
- Named donors include Aaron Sorkin, Will Ferrell, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and Elizabeth Banks.
đ Relevant Data
In 2023, 14% of Ohio's 4.9 million households (661,888) were below the Federal Poverty Level, and another 25% (1,223,000) were ALICE households, meaning they earn above the poverty level but struggle to afford basic household expenses.
The State of ALICE in Ohio: 2025 Update on Financial Hardship â United For ALICE
In Ohio, there is a 39.0% difference in degree attainment between the highest (Asian and Pacific Islander) and lowest (African-American) degree-earning ethnic groups.
Ohio Attainment â Ohio Department of Higher Education
In the 2024 Ohio presidential election, non-college educated voters, who comprised 63% of the electorate, supported Donald Trump by 59% to 39% for Kamala Harris, while college-educated voters (37% of the electorate) supported Harris by 51% to 47% for Trump.
Ohio presidential and senatorial exit polls â The Washington Post
In 2024, campaign fundraising in federal elections was more nationalized than ever, with House and Senate candidates continuing a trend of receiving more contributions from donors outside their districts and states.
How National Donors Shaped the 2024 Congressional Elections â The Fulcrum
In Ohio, the poverty rate is 10.8% for non-Hispanic Whites and 12.2% for Asians/Pacific Islanders, with higher rates for other races, bi- or multi-racial individuals, and Hispanics; non-Hispanic Whites comprise about 80% of the population.
The Ohio Poverty Report â Ohio Development Services Agency