New Head of HLN Cable Network a Huge Democrat Donor

CNN has announced that its HLN network will be helmed by television executive Albie Hecht starting September 30. Hecht is a long-time TV executive that has headed up several other channels, but he is also a big donor to the Democratic Party.

On September 18, CNN announced that the former president of Nickelodeon Entertainment and the man who founded Spike TV will take over as the Executive Vice President and GM of HLN.

In the statement, CNN chief Jeff Zucker said, “Albie is one of the most creative executives in our industry.”

“I wanted someone who could build off the strength that currently exists at HLN, which is enjoying one of its highest rated years ever, and evolve the network and its fast-growing digital properties even more,” Zucker said.

And for all his TV experience, Hecht is experienced in another area–donating to Democrats.

Politico’s Dylan Byers reported that Hecht has “given $35,550 in personal contributions over the past 15 years and an additional $11,000 in joint fundraising.”

Those who have benefitted from Hecht’s donations include: The Democratic National Committee ($14,200); the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ($10,000); MoveOn.org PAC ($5,000); Barack Obama ($4,550); New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ($3,500); and–in March of this year–Newark, N.J., Mayor and Senate hopeful Cory Booker ($1,000).

As to future donations, CNN did tell Byers that as the new head of HLN, Hecht is required to stop donating money to political candidates and causes.