*By Max Godnick* Actress Olivia Wilde is hitting the campaign trail ー but she's not running for office or portraying a politician in a new movie. Instead, she's playing the real-life role of devoted daughter. The star's mother, Leslie Cockburn, is the Democratic nominee for Congress in Virginia's fifth district. A veteran journalist who spent her career working at "60 Minutes," ABC News, and "PBS FRONTLINE," among other prominent shows, Cockburn will face Republican distillery owner Denver Riggleman in November's midterm elections. "The fifth district is kind of this intense microcosm," Wilde said in an interview with Cheddar's Baker Machado. Larger in size than New Jersey, Virginia's fifth includes both rural areas and the city of Charlottesville. Wilde observed that the region's constituents "have all different needs" that represent a variety of issues that "the nation is facing as a whole." "Obviously, Charlottesville is a hotbed of really intense emotion and controversy," she said. Wilde is set to join the campaign for the first time on Oct. 14, when she and long-time fiancé, fellow actor Jason Sudeikis, will host a rally at the University of Virginia. She said that up until now, her mother hasn't needed a celebrity daughter with her on the stump. "She has been really focusing on just the issues of the fifth district," Wilde said. But the star said she is excited to get out the vote with under 35 days to go before election day. "There's a bunch of people who will be voting for the first time in this midterm election, and I think it's incredible what a difference they could make," Wilde said. The actress is not a total stranger to politics. Sudeikis played Mitt Romney on "Saturday Night Live" during the now-Senate candidate's 2008 and 2012 White House runs. It might not be long before the comedian returns to the NBC sketch show to reprise the role ー former Trump adviser Steve Bannon [recently predicted](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/409071-bannon-predicts-three-way-race-in-2020) that the president will face a centrist challenge from Romney or Michael Bloomberg in 2020. Wilde said she's ready for her partner to "put on the old wig" ー with one caveat. "I think he would be happy to be Mitt again for a day," she said. "As long as it doesn't mean Mitt as president." For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/olivia-wilde-is-ready-to-join-her-moms-congressional-campaign).

Share:
More In Politics
N2K: Gun Reform In Congress, Jan. 6 Hearings, SCOTUS Decision On The Way
Catching you up on the stories you need to know this morning, the U.S. could soon get its first major gun safety law in years, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. capitol holds its second hearing, and today might just be the day the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, and decides on new gun laws.
U.S. Stocks Close at Session Lows
U.S. stocks closed Thursday at their lowest levels of the trading day, as investors continue to eye inflation ahead of the May CPI report out Friday. Art Hogan, Chief Market Strategist for National Holdings, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
PGA Suspends Golfers In Saudi-Backed League
The PGA has suspended 17 golfers, including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, who are competing in a Saudi-backed golf event outside of London. In a memo, commissioner Jay Monahan said "these players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons", announcing they are ineligible to participate on the PGA tour or any other tours it sanctions. Hugh Kellenberger, Senior Managing Editor at the Athletic, breaks down the controversy, and what might happen next.
U.S. Stocks Close at Session Lows Following High May Inflation Data
U.S. stocks closed Friday at session lows after May CPI data showed inflation in the U.S. has not peaked and is still rising rapidly. For the week, the S&P fell 5.06%, the Dow lost 4.58%, and the Nasdaq dropped 5.60%, marking the worst week since January for all three major indexes. Mike Zigmont, Head of Trading and Research at Harvest Volatility Management, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Load More