A plaque at the San Francisco Public Library bears the name of Terry Watanabe, honoring him as a prominent gay donor to the institution. A leader in the fight against AIDS, Watanabe makes no secret of his support of gay rights -- but he did manage to conceal his campaign contributions until after the election. Watanabe gave $500,000 to the Democratic National Committee on November 1, and followed up with another $100,000 two weeks later, ensuring that his support would not be revealed before voters went to the polls.
Watanabe gave all his money to the Democrats, with one exception: Senator Chuck Hagel, a Republican from Omaha. Oriental Trading Company, the direct-marketing firm founded by Watanabe's father, is based in Omaha.
Harry Watanabe opened his first gift shop in 1932, and by 1941 he had 17 shops from Denver to Detroit. When the Second World War cut off his supply of imported Japanese porcelain, the elder Watanabe kept the company alive by making and selling Kewpie dolls to traveling carnivals.
Terry began working as a cashier at the family business at age six. By the time he was 15, he was doing overseas buying. When he took over the firm at age 20, he decided the carnivals and fairs were too risky. So he transformed the company into an increasingly sophisticated mail-order operation, distributing pages advertising handshake buzzers, whoopee cushions, and candy lipsticks to churches, restaurants, and dentist offices.
Today Oriental Trading is the leading direct marketer of party supplies, toys, home decor items, and giftware, with annual revenues of $300 million. In 1997, President Clinton appointed Watanabe to his Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Last year a California financial group, Brentwood Associates, bought an undisclosed share in the company. Watanabe stepped down as chief executive and president, but remains chairman of the firm.
Politicians aren't the only ones who benefited from Watanabe's wealth the week before the election. Watanabe raises money for charity every Halloween, donating $5 for each bag of treats he hands out at his mansion. Last year he handed out 3,000 bags.
-- Karem Saïd
