Texas troubadour Willie Nelson has endorsed a couple of Texas Democrats in the lead up to the November midterm election. But he’s far from the only celebrity in recent weeks to throw support behind the Lone Star State’s blue candidates.
Over the weekend, Nelson posted video endorsements of gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin, both Democrats.
“This is Willie Nelson. I’m voting for Gina Hinojosa. I hope you do too,” Nelson said in an Instagram video.
Nelson posted a nearly identical video for Goodwin, who notably supports decriminalizing forms of THC that were recently made illegal. Nelson, a known proponent of cannabis, also has a THC drink brand called Willie’s Remedy, which is still available in stores.
Some conservative fans commenting on the country music icon’s endorsement videos were enraged that he would throw his weight behind Democrats.
“Here come the fake Willie fans,” political influencer Howdy Politics noted.
Nelson hasn’t officially endorsed U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. However, Talarico, a Democrat, did appear on stage with Nelson at his annual Fourth of July Picnic in Austin.
More endorsements
Other celebrities have also thrown their backing to Texas Democrats.
Over the weekend, the Chicks — formerly the Dixie Chicks — endorsed state Rep. James Talarico in his U.S. Senate race, posting an Instagram photo of themselves on tour sporting “Talafreako” T-shirts along with the message “Get your freak on.”
Eagles member Don Henley has put his money where his mouth is when it comes to turning Texas blue, throwing a donation to Texas Railroad Commission hopeful Jon Rosenthal, $50,000 to agriculture commissioner candidate Clayton Tucker and more than $100,000 to Vikki Goodwin, according to the Houston Chronicle. Henley has also sent individual donations to Talarico and South Texas congressional candidate Bobby Pulido in addition to throwing $250,000 to the Talarico-tied Lone Star Rising PAC.
Science-focused TV personality Bill Nye has also thrown his weight behind Talarico with a campaign ad highlighting his teaching experience.
“Now, I’ve spent my career getting young people excited about science, about being curious, about learning in general, and so do you — you are teachers in Texas,” Nye said in a video launching a coalition called Teachers for Talarico. “And get this, maybe you know this: James Talarico was a teacher, a middle school teacher, in San Antonio before he was in the Texas Legislature. Now, he’s running for Senate, and he needs your support.”
Expect more celebrity endorsements to roll in as Election Day approaches.
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