Mike Pence Says He's a 'Big Deal Too' as Oprah and Will Ferrell Campaign for Democrat Stacey Abrams

Vice President Mike Pence called out stars Oprah Winfrey and Will Ferrell on Thursday for political activism in Georgia on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and told a crowd that he too was a "big deal."

Pence was speaking at a rally in support of Republican candidate and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and claimed Abrams would raise taxes, increase regulations and hinder the state's agriculture industry.

Pence also said Abrams was backed by "Hollywood liberals" whereas Kemp has earthier support—a well-worn talking point for right-wingers who claim to represent the 'real' America.

"And I just heard the other day. Brian Kemp's getting the support of all kinds of hardworking, good people all across Georgia, and Stacey Abrams is being bankrolled by Hollywood liberals, sending their support into the state and some of them come into the state," Pence said.

"Like I heard Oprah was in town today. And I heard Will Ferrell was going door-to-door the other day. Well I'd like to remind Stacey and Oprah and Will Ferrell—I'm kind of a big deal, too," Pence told the energized crowd. "And I got a message for all of Stacey Abrams liberal Hollywood friends. This ain't Hollywood, this is Georgia!"

The television icon Winfrey was scheduled to appear at town halls for Abrams in Marietta and Decatur, Georgia on Thursday. At the latter town hall, Winfrey told the crowd she had not been paid to rally for Abrams and that she had asked the Democratic candidate if she could come publicly support her historic campaign.

"Nobody paid for me to come here, nobody even asked me to come here, I paid for myself and I approve this message," Winfrey said.

Earlier this week, Ferrell went door-to-door to speak with voters and encourage them to pick Abrams. The former congresswoman could be the first African-American woman elected governor of a U.S. state.

Before Winfrey and Ferrell, other celebrities have shown support for Abrams. She received campaign donations from singer John Legend, as well as actors Meryl Streep, Ben Affleck and Denzel Washington.

Pence's support for Kemp could help in a tight race in a state President Donald Trump won by over 200,000 votes.

A Fox 5 Atlanta/Opinion Savvy poll conducted earlier this week showed Abrams up 48 percent to Kemp's 47 percent after the same poll reflected a tie a week before. On average, Kemp holds a 47.8 percent lead to Abrams 46.4 percent, according to RealClear Politics.

This article was updated to correct a misspelling of Stacey Abrams.