Taylor Swift has broken her silence and endorsed the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections in her home state of Tennessee. In an Instagram post on Sunday evening, Swift implored her followers to vote for the candidates that represent their values and declared she was voting for Democrats Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper.
This is a long time coming for the notoriously apolitical musical superstar. Swift was criticized by fellow celebrities, musicians, and disappointed fans during the 2016 Presidential Election for staying silent despite her feminist persona. She neither publicly condemned Donald Trump, nor endorsed another candidate. In the aftermath of the election, Trump has fulfilled his worst campaign promises—while failing to deliver on any of his substantial policy goals—and hurt immigrants, the working poor, women, children, and the LGBTQ community. Now that Trump and the Republican Party have elevated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, despite credible allegations of sexual assault and strong indications he will overturn Roe v. Wade, Taylor Swift has spoken:
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.
Swift focused on the upcoming midterm elections in November and pledged to vote for Phil Bredesen for the Senate and Jim Cooper for the House of Representatives. Bredesen is running against Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, who has spent her time in Congress fighting against abortion, same-sex marriage, and equal pay.
In case you live in Tennessee, today is the last day to register. No matter where you live, vote! Get ready forVoting Day on Tuesday, November 6.