L.A. conversations with Clinton
That’s how two high-dollar fundraisers next month for the presidential candidate are being billed.
Hillary Rodham Clinton will be back in Los Angeles to raise money next month, with at least two high-dollar events on tap — one of which is on the 16th-floor rooftop of a swanky downtown French bistro.
The former senator and secretary of State, embroiled in an increasingly interesting Democratic primary, will appear at the home of Rob and Shari Friedman near UCLA on the afternoon of Sept. 27. That evening, she will be at the Perch Rooftop on South Hill Street. The site boasts spectacular city views, several fireplaces, frequent DJs and jazz performances.
The details come from two invitations obtained by the Los Angeles Times. The Clinton campaign declined to comment.
Friedman, co-chairman of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, was previously co-chairman and chief executive of “Twilight Saga” studio Summit Entertainment, which Lionsgate bought in early 2012 for $412.5 million.
Lionsgate is the studio behind young adult franchises such as “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” and films including “Now You See Me” and “The Expendables.” He also was chairman of the board of the organizing committee for the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles this summer.
Since 1997, the Friedmans have contributed more than $100,000 to political candidates — Republican and Democrat — in Los Angeles city and county campaigns, as well as state and federal campaigns, according to Los Angeles Times data.
They each gave Clinton the maximum individual donation in May. They did not give her campaign money in 2008, nor did they contribute to her then primary rival Barack Obama, despite having contributed to his 2004 Senate bid in Illinois.
Public records for their 5,091-square-foot, six-bedroom, six-bathroom home near UCLA show it had a $4.06 million taxable value in tax year 2014.
The September events are being framed as “conversations” with Clinton. The Friedman fundraiser costs $1,000 per person, dubbed a “friend,” or $2,700 to join a photo reception as a “champion.” Co-hosts must raise $27,000 and are entitled to a host reception with the candidate. The downtown event is $2,700 to attend and get a photo with Clinton, and $27,000 for the same co-host offer.
“Space is limited,” but “both will be incredible events,” one organizer said in his pitch to a potential donor. The organizer referred to the former first lady as “Hillary” throughout the email.
Clinton announced in July that she had raised $45 million through the end of the second quarter. These events come just before the end of the third quarter.
Perch’s capacity is 150 on its rooftop, though an events person said Friday they were not aware of any fundraisers scheduled for Clinton next month.
It is billed on its website as an “elevated resting place” that serves Parisian-inspired cocktails. One of the items on a menu described as “playful” is called Little Bunny Frou Frou — ravioli of rabbit, heirloom carrots, parsnip-brioche crumble, salami. It’s $22.
There is no time specified on the fundraising invitation, but Perch warns that anyone there after 9 p.m. must be old enough to drink.