News/Campaigns

Lena Dunham endorses from bed in New Jersey governor race

Weighing in on a gubernatorial race that former Vice President Joe Biden has called the “single most important” of the next three years, actress Lena Dunham said Thursday she backs Democrat Jim Johnson’s campaign for governor of New Jersey.

“I think that there is nothing better we can do than support Jim Johnson for governor,” she said Thursday in a video posted on Twitter.

“He has made his reputation on being a just man who is invested in the rights of every single American no matter their race, color, gender preference, religious identity. He’s not an ableist, he’s a person who desperately wants everyone in New Jersey to have what they deserve,” she said. Dunham is in bed in the video, which Johnson promoted.

{mosads}Johnson is not the front runner in the primary race; current polling has Ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy with an edge. Biden campaigned for Murphy last week.

The primary is next Tuesday. 

Dunham added that New Jersey is “incredibly important” to her despite being born and raised in New York.

“I developed a real fondness and affinity for New Jersey and I think it’s real important to support every state in America, but especially the ones that are your neighbors,” she said.

“And [Johnson] wants to bring back things like housing, healthcare, the bare essentials that make it possible for the people of New Jersey to be healthy, happy and live long, great lives in such a great state.”

Johnson is a native of Montclair, N.J. and worked as under secretary of the Treasury for enforcement in former President Clinton’s administration. He also a former federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York.

Current New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) unsuccessfully sought the presidency last year before backing President Trump. His second term ends in 2018.