Celebrity Endorsements in the Midterms: Your 2022 Guide

Election Day is nearly upon us, but voting in the 2022 midterm elections is already well underway. People are voting not just for their U.S. representatives and senators, but also for state governors, state secretaries, city councilmembers, and more. Environmental issues, gun policy, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion rights (just to name a few) are all on the table, so your vote in the midterm election matters. A lot. With so many important issues at stake, you're hopefully registered to vote and fired up about the election, just like your favorite A-listers. From Oprah Winfrey to Harry Styles to Cher, many celebrities have already gone public with their endorsements.

John Legend for Several Democrat Candidates

EGOT-winner John Legend has been vocal on his Twitter account in support of several Democrat candidates ahead of the midterm elections. So far, he's tweeted his support for Stacey Abrams (Georgia Governor), Julie Gunnigle (Maricopa County, AZ Attorney),  Pamela Price (Alameda County, CA District Attorney), Allison Miller (Florida State Attorney), Kimberly Graham (Polk County, Iowa Attorney), Rahsaan Hall (Plymouth County, MA District Attorney), Mary Moriarty (Hennepin County, MN Attorney), Wesley Bell (St. Louis, MO Prosecuting Attorney), Joe Gonzales (Bexar County, Texas District Attorney), John Creuzot (Dallas County, Texas District Attorney), and Leesa Manion (King County, WA Prosecutor). 

Paul Rudd for John Fetterman in PA

Ant-Man himself is showing support for Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, who is running as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. According to Fetterman's Twitter, the actor joined Fetterman in a grassroots fundraiser on October 18. 

Oprah Winfrey for Stacey Abrams in GA and John Fetterman in PA 

Oprah Winfrey has been a fan of Democrat Stacey Abrams since her previous unsuccessful campaign for Georgia Governor in 2018. On October 20, Winfrey joined Abrams for a chat on Abrams' campaign website, per the AP. “I’m wishing that the people of Georgia come out and make that a reality for you and the state of Georgia,” Winfrey said. Additionally, Winfrey endorsed John Fetterman for the Pennsylvania Senate, rejecting her protégé Mehmet Oz, aka Dr. Oz, per NPR.  

Harry Styles for Beto O'Rourke in Texas

During a concert in Austin, the singer showed his support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Beto O'Rourke, by flashing his guitar with a sticker that read "BETO FOR TEXAS."

Mark Ruffalo for Kathy Hochul and Antonio Delgado in NY

Another member of the Avengers is getting vocal on social media about the midterms. Over the last couple of weeks, Mark Ruffalo has shared a ton of information on the elections on his Twitter account. In one post, the actor wrote, "Vote like tomorrow may be the last time your vote is ever counted again! #VoteBlue." He's personally endorsed New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, and New York Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado, as they both seek re-election.

Cher for Kathy Hochul in NY and Catherine Cortez Masto in NV

Cher has also taken to Twitter to show her support for New York Governor Kathy Hochul. In a video, Cher spoke out against Trump supporter and Hochul's opponent, Lee Zeldin, and encouraged viewers to vote for Hochul. In a separate video posted to her Twitter account, Cher endorsed Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, who's seeking re-election. 

Chelsea Handler for Lina Hidalgo in Texas

Chelsea Handler is typically vocal about her political stance, and this year is no different. The comedian has been encouraging people to vote Democrat across the board in several tweets. According to one post, she's donated to the campaign of Lina Hidalgo, who's running for Harris County, Texas Judge. 

Lin-Manuel Miranda for Beto O'Rourke and Rochelle Garza in Texas, Raphael Warnock in GA

The musical mastermind has been working hard to encourage young Latinos to show up at the voting booths this November. Miranda proudly showed his support for Beto O’Rourke and Democratic Attorney General candidate Rochelle Garza, while speaking at a rally in Houston. “I’m here because I believe Latinos can change this country,” Miranda said. “We are our brother’s keepers and our sister’s keepers, and we are supposed to have each other’s back. It always seems impossible until it is done.” Additionally, Miranda attended a rally back in October for the re-election of Democratic U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Kacey Musgraves for Beto O'Rourke in Texas 

Texas native Kacey Musgraves hilariously supported Beto O’Rourke while performing at the Austin City Limits music festival. When Musgraves turned to the crowd and asked for a drink, O'Rourke came to her rescue with a beer in hand. As he walked off stage, the crowd began a "Beto!" chant.

Barbra Streisand for John Fetterman in PA

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand took to Twitter to endorse John Fetterman's bid to the U.S. Senate. "John Fetterman deserves credit for debating while still recovering from a stroke," she wrote. "He will recover and make a fine Senator while Dr. Oz will always be the man who wants a 'local official' in the room when a woman discusses her own healthcare with her doctor." 

Kerry Washington for Several Democratic Candidates

On a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, actress Kerry Washington said, "No matter what you think, your vote matters. I want your vote to count. That's what a democracy is." Since then, she's been across the country attending rallies and encouraging people to vote. She teamed up with Camila Cabello at an event in Las Vegas and made a timely TikTok on several Democrat candidates in Arizona. So far, Washington has endorsed Mark Kelly (AZ Senator), Katie Hobbs (AZ Governor), Adrian Fontes (AZ Secretary of State), Jocelyn Benson (MI Secretary of State), Gretchen Whitmer (MI Governor), Kyra Harris Bolden (MI Justice), and John Fetterman (PA Senate). 

Leonardo DiCaprio for Kathy Hochul in NY

Environmentalism is near and dear to Leonardo DiCaprio's heart, so for the 2022 midterm elections, he's supporting Kathy Hochul. He tweeted, "New Yorkers - vote early for Democratic Governor @KathyHochul. She will protect NY's fracking ban & our climate." 

Selena Gomez for Beto O'Rourke in Texas

Singer, actress, and Texas native, Selena Gomez has endorsed Beto O'Rourke's run for governor in Texas. “I had the pleasure of meeting @betoorourke a few years ago and was so impressed by him," she wrote in her Instagram stories. "For those of you in my home state of Texas, please vote for him!”

Jessica Alba for Rick Caruso in CA 

The Honest Company founder reposted an interview with restaurant owner Christy Vega and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso. In the video, the two discuss LA's homelessness problem, a cause Alba is a strong supporter of. "Let’s get people off the streets and make sure they get the proper mental health care and shelter needs." She then goes on to say that Caruso is the candidate that will make a positive difference to LA. Rick’s plans and policies through his approach of listening, learning and building in collaboration with those most affected will make the impact we need for our city. I’m proud to support Rick Caruso for Mayor," she writes. 

Padma Lakshmi for Kathy Hochul in NY and John Fetterman in PA

Author and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi has used her Twitter account to drill users on getting out there and voting. Aside from resources on voting rights, polling locations, and how to register to vote, Lakshmi tweeted out her distaste for New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin. "As a New Yorker, the idea of being governed by Lee Zeldin, a Trump supporter who wants to ban abortion without exception, defund Planned Parenthood, and who supports 'Don't Say Gay,' is insane. He doesn't represent us," she writes. Additionally, Lakshmi tweeted, "Team Fetterman getting out the South Asian vote in Philly!" while at a rally encouraging South Asian women to vote. 

Sarah Silverman for Several Democratic Candidates

Comedian Sarah Silverman has taken to Twitter to encourage her followers to vote for several democratic candidates in her signature crass way. "VOTE STACEY ABRAMS. She’s the shit and Brian Kemp is garbage," reads one tweet. Outside of retweets supporting different candidates, Silverman has tweeted out her support for Beto O'Rourke (Texas Governor), Marcus Flowers (GA Democrat U.S. Rep.), Josh Shapiro (PA Governor), Charlie Crist (FL Governor), Mandela Barnes (WI Senator), Val Demings (FL Senator), and Karen Bass (Los Angeles Mayor). 

LeBron James for Raphael Warnock in GA

In a short and sweet video, LeBron James endorsed Raphael Warnock, the Democratic U.S. Senator seeking re-election in Georgia. "Obviously, tomorrow is Election Day and there's only one choice when voting for senator and that's Raphael Warnock," he said. 

Jimmy Kimmel for Catherine Cortez Masto in NV

In a video, Kimmel called Nevada Senatorial candidate Adam Laxalt the "creepy cousin in every family no one wants to sit with at Thanksgiving." Instead, Kimmel endorsed Catherine Cortez Masto, adding, "She's a good person, hard worker."  

Elon Musk for Republican Congressional Candidates

Twitter's new owner, Elon Musk used the platform to urge users to vote for Republican congressional candidates. He writes, "To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic." In following tweets, Musk clarified that he has voted Democratic up until last year and he's "open to the idea of voting Democrat again in the future."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Karen Bass in CA

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is backing Karen Bass for Los Angeles' new mayor. In a Twitter thread, she listed several reasons to vote for Bass that include her plan on homelessness, endorsements, and experience fighting for women's rights. 

The Chicks for Beto O'Rourke in Texas

Country girl band The Chicks shared a clip of their performance at the Austin City Limits festival, in which lead singer Natalie Maines got revved up for Beto O'Rourke. “Do you have a mother? Do you have a daughter? Do you have a sister? Do you have a girlfriend? Vote Beto! If there is a female in your life that you care about, vote for Beto,” she yells to the crowd.