Pop superstar Taylor Swift has endorsed Phil Bredesen to replace Bob Corker in the U.S. Senate.
The former Tennessee Governor is running against Congressman Marsha Blackburn for the senate seat. They recently faced off in their first debate at Cumberland University.
On Sunday, Tennessee-native, Taylor Swift, posted to Instagram announcing her support for Bredesen and Representative Jim Cooper.
She said Blackburn's voting record does not reflect her "Tennessee values." She ended the post by encouraging people to vote on their own personal values educate themselves on the candidates.
"I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.
I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway.
So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈"
Swift, for the most part, has stayed out of the political spotlight during her career, until now.
Bredesen's campaign released the following statement in regards to Swift's endorsement.
“It’s clear that Governor Bredesen’s message of working together to get things done is resonating with Democrats, Independents, and Republicans throughout the state. As a U.S. Senator, he will represent Tennesseans of all stripes. The choice continues to be clear: voters can either have more of the same old partisan shouting that's coming out of D.C, or they can hire someone who has a track record of getting things done for Tennessee. It’s time for some fresh air up there, and that’s why Governor Bredesen is applying for the job.”
Both Bredesen and Blackburn said they would have voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as a senator. Bredesen's announcement drew criticism from his party. He called Kavanaugh's accuser, Dr. Ford, a heroine but said that even after her testimony he would still say "yes."
