Gronkowski and other celebrities join NH get-out-the-vote push

Key points

• Rob Gronkowski visited Bedford High School in New Hampshire, signing jerseys and posing with voters and his girlfriend, Camille Kostek.
• Gronkowski stated his message was simply to encourage voting, saying it did not matter which party individuals supported.
• Other celebrities, including Floyd Mayweather, Danny Amendola, and Kevin Youkilis, were seen at various polling locations across the state.
• The visits were part of a get-out-the-vote initiative by Turning Point Action, though a spokesperson clarified Gronkowski was not officially with the group.
• Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte met with Gronkowski at the Bedford polling location.
• New Hampshire is deciding key races, including the U.S. Senate contest between Chris Pappas and John Sununu.

Background

This event follows recent controversies involving conservative activists and polling place security, such as the felony charges against James O'Keefe and Cameron Higby in Minnesota for identity theft during a primary election. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has deployed a record number of monitors for the 2026 midterms, heightening scrutiny of election day activities. Gronkowski, who has recently appeared as a FOX analyst, is scheduled for induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame later this week.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News reported that Gronkowski was seen near a Turning Point USA tent, though a spokesperson clarified he was not with the organization. NBC Boston highlighted Gronkowski's non-partisan message, quoting him as saying it does not matter what party people vote for. WMUR emphasized the broader celebrity campaign by Turning Point Action, noting that New Hampshire was a focal point of their 'Commit to Chase 100 Ballots' initiative. The New Hampshire Union Leader source was inaccessible due to a server error, so no perspective could be extracted from that outlet. There is a slight discrepancy in the characterization of Gronkowski's affiliation: while CBS noted his proximity to a conservative tent, NBC and WMUR framed the event as a broader, non-partisan get-out-the-vote effort, with Gronkowski explicitly stating his message was not partisan.

Why it matters

The involvement of high-profile celebrities in election day outreach highlights the intensifying efforts by political organizations to influence voter turnout in competitive states like New Hampshire. The presence of figures like Gronkowski and Mayweather at polling places can sway undecided voters and generate significant media attention, potentially impacting the outcome of close races for the U.S. Senate and governorship. This also reflects the growing trend of using celebrity endorsements and public appearances as tools in political mobilization, particularly in swing states where margins are thin.

What to watch

Voters in New Hampshire will continue casting ballots throughout the day, with results expected to determine the balance of power in Congress and the state's governorship. Gronkowski is scheduled to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday. The political implications of the celebrity outreach will be analyzed in the aftermath of the election, particularly regarding the effectiveness of such get-out-the-vote efforts in competitive districts.