Look what she made them do: The U.S. voter registration service experienced a spike in numbers after Taylor Swift encouraged her 112 million Instagram followers to register to vote in time for next month’s midterm elections. The musician, who has long strayed out of political issues, also voiced her support for two Democrat candidates.
Kamari Guthrie, the director of communications for vote.org, told Buzzfeed News that during the 24-hour period after the singer posted her statement on Instagram, there were 65,000 registrations on the site.
Swift’s post was focused on the Senate race in Tennessee, where she is registered to vote. In the post, she states that though she previously voted for women in office, she does not feel able to support the Republican Senate candidate, Marsha Blackburn. “Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me,” Swift writes. The singer said she will instead be voting for Democratic candidates Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives.
Thank you for the kind words @taylorswift13. I’m honored to have your support and that of so many Tennesseans who are ready to put aside the partisan shouting and get things done. We’re ready for it. Last day to register to vote is October 9. https://t.co/6Xd6YyaJCG pic.twitter.com/CatUBkXPKe
— Phil Bredesen (@PhilBredesen) October 8, 2018
Swift’s post drew criticism from Donald Trump, who told reporters on Monday, “Marsha Blackburn is doing a very good job in Tennessee. She’s leading now substantially, which she should. She’s a tremendous woman. I’m sure Taylor Swift doesn’t know anything about her. Let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25% less now, OK?”
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