Scarlett Johansson Endorses Jewish Candidate for NYC Mayor
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
The Jewish Scarlett Johansson is standing by her Jewish man – that man being not actor Justin Bartha, but rather Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. The 26-year-old actress and singer is putting her celebrity weight behind Stringer’s bid for mayor of New York in 2013.
Observer.com’s Politicker NY reports that Johansson has said she has had enough of life in New York under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and looks forward to the kind of city she thinks it will be when – not if – Stringer is at the helm.
The actress views Stringer as environmentally aware and the type of leader who would invest in making the city more affordable and accessible for people. “Growing up, all my friends lived in affordable housing, which is something that I want to fight to get back,” said Johansson, a native New Yorker. “Scott’s been a big advocate of affordable housing. I want my friends back in the city. So I believe in Scott,” she was quoted as saying.
Johansson is putting her money where her mouth is. She has pledged the maximum $4950 contribution, is helping to plan an October campaign kick-off party, and has promised to enlist friends and get the vote out for the candidate.
The 51-year-old Stringer has been Manhattan Borough President since 2006. Prior to his current position, he served as a Member of the New York State Assembly from the 67th district on the West Side of Manhattan for 12 years.
The actress’s family’s has had ties to Stringer over the years, with her brother Hunter currently working for the campaign, and her grandmother having fought in the 1980’s alongside the now-mayoral candidate for more Mitchell-Lama affordable housing.
It’s not clear whether Johansson is planning to release an official public relations consultant-vetted endorsement statement. In the meantime, we’ll just go on what she’s had to say so far: “I love Scott. He’s so the right guy for the job…He’s an awesome guy.”
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