In the high-tension, high-dollar race for Arkansas’ U.S. Senate seat, incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor can count on some high-wattage donors such as Emmy-winning actor Ted Danson (Cheers, C.S.I.) and movie mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg.
But challenger Tom Cotton can counter. The Republican congressman has “The Donalds”: former secretary of defense and occasional news commentator Donald Rumsfeld, and real estate magnate and reality TV star Donald Trump.
Here’s a look at some famous names from entertainment, sports and politics who have helped bankroll the two candidates:
PRYOR
Madeleine Albright — $2,600, former secretary of state for President Bill Clinton.
James Carville — $2,000, Democratic strategist and news commentator.
Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen — $5,000, TV and movie actors (Steenburgen is an Arkansas native from Newport).
Donald Dell — $250, former U.S. tennis champion and sports marketing guru.
Jeffrey Katzenberg — $2,600, chief executive of DreamWorks Animation and former chairman of Walt Disney Studios.
James Murdoch — $2,500, co-chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox and son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Office of the League of Major League Baseball Political Action Committee — $6,000.
Maurice Tempelsman — $1,000, businessman and diamond merchant also known as the longtime companion before her death of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
COTTON
George and Laura Bush — $10,400, former president and fi rst lady.
David Glass — $5,200, owner, Kansas City Royals baseball team, former chief executive of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
James Patterson — $6,500, best-selling author of the Alex Cross series and other books.
Donald Rumsfeld — $5,200, former secretary of defense for President George W. Bush and President Gerald Ford.
Donald Trump — $1,000, business magnate, investor, star of the television series The Apprentice.
Steve Wynn — $5,200, owner, chairman and chief executive officer of Wynn Resorts Ltd. of Las Vegas.