Women set Democratic fund-raiser

Voices taps David, Short, Garner to perform

By TED JOHNSON

More then 50 women in the entertainment industry have organized an event to raise money for eight Democratic U.S. Senate candidates on Sept. 27, with a lineup of performances by Martin Short, Jennifer Garner and Larry David, among others.

The group, Voices for a Senate Majority, includes members of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee, the influential group that was at the center of much of the industry's political activity in the 1980s and '90s.

The aim of the group is to expand the party's hold on the Senate to 60, a veto-proof majority for Supreme Court nominations.

The event, to be held at the home of Lona Williams and David O'Connor, will be hosted by Short and include performances by David, Paul Shaffer, Garner, Catherine O'Hara, Jenifer Lewis and Marc Shaiman. Guests also will include Diane Keaton, Jason Bateman, John Krasinski and Jurnee Smollett. Tickets range from $2,500 to $10,000.

The organizers have selected eight candidates seeking to flip Senate seats in the Dems' favor: Tom Allen of Maine, Mark Begich of Alaska, Al Franken of Minnesota, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Mark Udall of Colorado and Tom Udall of New Mexico.

The Hollywood Women's Political Committee was formed in 1984, and raised millions for candidates and liberal causes until it was disbanded in 1997.

Key members of the new effort include Julie Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Lara Bergthold, Barbara Corday, Kathy Garmezy, Pat Tourk Lee, Katie McGrath, Susan Sprung, Margery Tabankin, Sarah Timberman, Paula Weinstein and Williams.

In addition to Williams and O'Connor, co-chairs of the event include Kelly and Ron Meyer, Wendy and Barry Meyer, Monica and Phil Rosenthal, Lyn and Norman Lear, Marilyn and John Wells, Cindra and Alan Ladd, Kevin Huvane, Bryan Lourd, Sherry Lansing, Jamie Alter Lynton and Michael Lynton.