Television talk-show star and acclaimed actress Oprah Winfrey is set to host a fundraiser for a Democrat running to fill the U.S. House seat of a longtime Northern Virginia congressman.
On April 5, Ms. Winfrey will headline an event raising funds for Democrat Lavern Chatman, who is running to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat.
“Oprah is a good friend and we both share a passion for empowering women and girls for leadership,” Ms. Chatman said in a statement. “I’m delighted she is coming to town to help with my congressional campaign.”
Ms. Winfrey became a major political player when she strongly endorsed then-Sen. Barack Obama at a time in 2006 when former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was thought to be the inevitable 2008 Democratic presidential nominee.
Since then, Ms. Winfrey has contributed to several other candidates including Democrat Cory Booker’s New Jersey Senate campaign.
According to the campaign office, the fundraiser will be held in Arlington and will feature several prominent leaders speaking on women’s issues, globally, nationally, and in the 8th Congressional District of Virginia.
Ms. Chatman is the former president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Urban League and has raised $200,000 so far. At least 12 other candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace Mr. Moran.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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