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Here’s a Bunch of Musicians’ 2020 Democratic Primary Donations

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 13: DJ/producer Steve Aoki performs as he hosts the worldwide premiere of the new Viva Vision light show featuring a six-minute musical montage of his hits at the Fremont Street Experience on June 13, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new show offers visitors a first look at the ongoing USD 32 million renovation to the world’s largest video screen on a canopy that spans five blocks in downtown Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Democratic presidential candidates have filed their latest round of fundraising reports, covering campaign contributions from April through June. Working class hero Bernie Sanders remains the leader, boosted by the highest number of individual donors, but he’s closely trailed by insurgent Spoon fan Pete Buttigieg, creepy establishment fave Joe Biden, and progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren.

We won’t pretend to know what any of the data mean for the race, but we have compiled a working list of popular musicians who opened their wallet this quarter. This is a strictly voyeuristic exercise and celebrities should not influence your political opinions. That being said, we admit taking satisfaction in knowing Dan Deacon and (Sandy) Alex G are on the right side of history, and judge the Tears for Fears guy for supporting a cop.

A few notes. Donors list their occupation and address along with their contribution, and it’s possible, though probably not very likely, that there’s another self-employed actress-musician named Zooey Pechenik from Santa Monica, or another generous Stone Gossard. Remember, too, that federal rules bar anyone from contributing over $2,800 to any one candidate per election cycle. We didn’t include every likely loser.

This list is ordered by quarterly receipt totals. You can view notable donations from last quarter here.


Bernie Sanders ($25.7 million)

  • Jackson Browne  – $1,101
  • Brandi Carlile – $1,000
  • Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters guitarist) – $1,000
  • Nicholas Petricca (Walk the Moon singer) – $527
  • (Sandy) Alex G – $500
  • Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros singer) – $250
  • Lee Bunnell (America singer/guitarist) – $204
  • Paolo Gregoletto (Trivium bassist) – $128
  • Dustin Davidson (August Burns Red bassist) – $108
  • Adolfo de la Parra (Canned Heat drummer) – $100
  • Dan Deacon – $54
  • John Gourley (Portugal. The Man singer/guitarist) – $53
  • Oteil Burbridge (Dead & Company bassist) – $27


Pete Buttigieg ($24.9 million)

  • Joe Walsh (The Eagles guitarist) – $1,000
  • Zooey Deschanel – $500
  • Joan Jett – $150


Joe Biden ($22 million)

  • Rob Crosby – $250


Elizabeth Warren ($19.2 million)

  • Jackson Browne – $1,100
  • Rosanne Cash – $250
  • Christopher Hrasky  (Explosions in the Sky drummer) – $250
  • Joan Jett – $235


Kamala Harris ($11.8 million)

  • Curt Smith (Tears for Fears singer/instrumentalist) – $1,000
  • Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band bassist) – $600
  • Steven Drozd (Flaming Lips drummer) – $250
  • Jackson Browne – $125


Cory Booker ($4.5 million)

  • Steve Aoki – $2,800


Beto O’Rourke ($3.6 million)

  • Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead bassist) – $1,100


Jay Inslee ($3.1 million)

  • Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam guitarist) – $2,800
  • Carole King – $250


Andrew Yang ($2.8 million)

  • Hunter Hunt-Hendrix (Liturgy singer/guitarist): $100


If you notice other musicians in any candidate’s fundraising reports, or know any other information you’d like to share, let us know at [email protected].