Schneiderman
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York attorney general hopeful Eric Schneiderman has received an endorsement from another Hollywood A-lister.
Actor Mark Ruffalo, who recently starred in the movies "Shutter Island" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and "The Kids Are All Right" with Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, announced his support for the Democrat on Monday.
Ruffalo, a Sullivan County resident, has been active in environmentalists' campaign against hydrofracking in New York's portion of the Marcellus Shale. In hydrofracking, chemicals are injected into rock to help break it up and release natural gas for collection.
In some states, hydrofracking has alleged to have caused serious environmental damage, including the permanent contamination of local drinking water.
The actor said in a statement, "With Eric Schneiderman as our Attorney General, environmental polluters will be held accountable and the health and safety of the people of New York will be protected. I'm proud to endorse Eric because he is the only candidate who will continue to play an aggressive role in protecting New York's natural treasures."
Ruffalo noted Schneiderman's opponent, Republican Dan Donovan, has called hydrofracking an "opportunity" for New Yorkers.
In response, Schneiderman said he was "proud" to have the actor's support.
"As Attorney General, I will continue putting the safety of New Yorkers first and will use the powers of the Attorney General's office to ensure that any future gas exploration or extraction meets stringent environmental standards to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink," he said in a statement later Monday.
Schneiderman's campaign reported Ruffalo will be a special guest at a fundraiser for the state Assemblyman on Tuesday. Recent fundraising reports show Schneiderman with more than $1 million on hand.
In addition to Ruffalo, Schneiderman also has received support from actor and activist Alec Baldwin.
Baldwin, who stars on the popular television comedy "30 Rock," endorsed Schneiderman in July.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by e-mail at jessica@legalnewsline.com.