A long list of corporate executives from the high-tech and development world, plus a few big-name Hollywood types, helped swell Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner's campaign treasury through the first six months of this year.

A much smaller list of corporate donors contributed to the campaign of Republican Jim Gilmore, Federal Election Commission reports show.

Among entertainers, Warner's donors include singer and actress Barbra Streisand, movie director Steven Spielberg, television producer Norman Lear, bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley of Coeburn, singer and actress Bette Midler, musician Bruce Hornsby of Williamsburg, writer John Grisham of Albemarle County and Walt Disney President Robert Iger.

Warner also received a donation from Madeleine K. Albright, secretary of state in President Bill Clinton's second term.

Gilmore's donors include famed former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach.

Warner reported last week that as of June 30, he had raised $9.1 million since he began campaigning in September. He raised $2.9 million in the second quarter and had $5 million in the bank. Gilmore had raised $1.1 million, including $480,000 in the second quarter. He had $116,000 in his campaign treasury.

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Warner reported donations from 5,100 people -- nine times as many as contributed to the Gilmore campaign.

Robert D. Holsworth, a political commentator at Virginia Commonwealth University, said Gilmore's problem is that he is not perceived as competitive, while Warner has "an extraordinary fundraising base from grass-roots Democrats, the corporate community and some Republicans."

Because of McCain-Feingold campaign-reform legislation of 2002, individuals are limited to donations of $4,600 -- $2,300 prenomination and $2,300 after the nomination. When Gilmore and Warner ran for governor, in 1997 and 2001, respectively, they could raise unlimited amounts from a single donor.

The two are vying for the seat of Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican who is retiring in January after 30 years. The two Warners are not related.

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The larger list of Mark Warner includes a handful of businesspeople who traditionally give to Republican candidates. These include Thomas F. Farrell II, chief executive officer of Dominion Resources, who also gave money to Gilmore, and Thomas N. Allen, a restaurant entrepreneur. Robert W. Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia, also donated to both candidates.

Warner has touted his bipartisan appeal. Among his donors are Donald W. Upson, who was Gilmore's secretary of technology.

Because of his high-tech background -- he made a fortune in the early stages of the cell phone industry -- Warner has received significant support from the high-tech community in the Washington area.

Gilmore was governor from 1998 to 2002. Warner was governor from 2002 to 2006. Their records as governor are expected to be the focus of the campaign.

Richmond grocery store magnate James E. Ukrop, an early backer of Warner, donated the maximum $4,600, as did his wife, Barbara. He also received money from Joseph W. Luter IV, an executive vice president of Smithfield Foods, which in years past has been criticized by Democrats for its environmental practices.

Warner's donors include the well-known corporate raider Carl Icahn, while Gilmore could count on the support of Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens. Don Blankenship, the chairman of Massey Energy, contributed $4,600 to Gilmore.

Gilmore's backers include some traditional Republican moneymen, hotel magnate William H. Goodwin Jr., and industrialists Bruce and Floyd Gottwald, all of Richmond. Ruble Hord, an insurance executive, gave Gilmore $2,300.

In addition to Staubach, athletes who have given to Gilmore include professional golfer Ben Crenshaw. Former singer and businessman Jimmy Dean of Varina also donated to Gilmore.

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Warner also received money from state and national Democratic committees. The Democratic Party of Virginia gave him $6,000, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee gave him $21,700.

Some of the top business and labor union political action committees also donated money to the Warner campaign. They include Capital One, CSX, Altria, Google, the National Association of Home Builders, United Parcel Service, Pfizer, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Sheet Metal Workers Union, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

Sen. Jim Webb's Born Fighting PAC donated $2,500.

John Warner gave $2,000 to Gilmore.

Gilmore received far less political committee money and none from national Republican committees. The political action committee of Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah gave him $5,000 and Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi donated $2,000.

Gilmore's contributions include $2,500 from the MGM Mirage gambling resort in Las Vegas. He received no union money.

PACs and other political committees can donate up to $5,000 per year. National party committees can donate up to $39,900 to a Senate campaign.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.