Ted Cruz to Be Honored by Hollywood Group Despite Objections

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz will get an award from a Hollywood honor society despite objections from some of its liberal members, insiders said Monday.

The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors had seemingly settled on one of its American Spirit Awards going to Cruz until some members threatened to quit over the selection because they deemed him too partisan.

Some members of the organization met Monday to discuss the situation and decided that Cruz would get the award, and the senator is expected to attend a ceremony in April and address the group.

As is customary, the Caucus will also give a Spirit award to a Democrat, and insiders say that Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown is the top choice, though the group has yet to formalize the selection.

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Sen. Ted Cruz Appearance Has Hollywood Group on Edge

“I’m looking forward to Sen. Ted Cruz’ visit to Hollywood,” Caucus member Lionel Chetwynd said Monday. “There is no greater advocate on Capitol Hill for free speech, nor persistent critic of the pirating of our intellectual property all over the world.”

The Caucus was founded three decades ago by Norman Lear, Aaron Spelling and others, and it seems to periodically go through fits of political turmoil. Three years ago, for example, some members quit when it was learned that some of their colleagues celebrated bias against conservatives in the entertainment industry.

Email: Paul.Bond@THR.com