Actor Mark Ruffalo launched a national fundraising effort to support a slate of local candidates who oversee local elections in close races where small gifts make an outsized impact. Ruffalo built the slate using Champion's slate building toolset. Most of Mark's candidates are running against opponents who deny the 2020 election and in some cases have made statements supporting the January 6th insurrectionists.
Ruffalo proceeded to call Rosie O'Donnell to ask her to support his slate as an early birthday present (at 3:00 AM).
Amanda GonzalezAmanda is running to manage election administration in Jefferson County, CO. Amanda has been the head of Common Cause -- a pro-democracy organization -- in Colorado. Amanda's opponent has made multiple pro-insurrectionist statements on their social media accounts.
In response to Mark's support, Gonzalez wrote:
Lina HidalgoIncumbent Lina Hidalgo is a champion for climate and democracy. On democracy, she's worked to make voting easier for everyone. On climate, she has held the fossil fuel industry accountable and prioritized climate action.
Stacie Wilke-McCullochStacie Wilkes-McCulloch is running to manage Carson City County's elections. She is a pro-democracy candidate who has defended the integrity of the 2020 election results, while her opponents have claimed Nevada's vote count process is illegal or suggested that they would make voting more difficult.
In response, Stacie Wilke-McCulloch tweeted:
Mariluz Cristina GarciaMariluz Cristina Garcia’s seat is critical to maintaining a pro-democracy balance on the Washoe County Commission.
Edwin Willard LyngarEdwin Lyngar is running against an opponent who put forth a proposal to radically change the county’s election system that was so extreme that it was rejected in a bipartisan vote.
Lyngar replied to the Twitter thread saying "there's never been a more important time to stand up for the vote." In addition, he tweeted:
Justin JonesJustin Jones has a strong track record of making voting more accessible to everyone. He is facing two challengers who are election deniers.
Mark Ruffalo first became politically involved when his well water was threatened by fracking for natural gas. In response, Ruffalo launched Water Defense. Since then he has been involved in work to protect the environment, women's right to choose, racial justice, and other work. When asked why he first got involved, Mark said "If I am who I say I am, then I have to get out in front of this, and I have to start talking about it."
Danny DeVito, Rob Reiner, Jeremy Renner, and members of Congress rallied in support of Ruffalo's work to defend democracy.
Rob Reiner, the actor who came to national prominence with the role of Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitcom All in the Family, supported the effort, tweeting "60% of Americans will have election deniers on the ballot this year."
Jeremy Renner first broke through in his acting career with his performance in The Hurt Locker. Most know him for playing Hawkeye in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films and television series.
Soon thereafter, Representative Ted Lieu tweeted Mark's slate out as well.
Danny DeVito supported Ruffalo's effort as well.
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