U.S. Senator Ed Markey Has a Band of Unlikely Supporters—American Girl Dolls on Twitter

U.S. Senator Ed Markey's re-election campaign is heating up with support from an unlikely corner of the internet: American Girl Doll stans. As Markey campaigns against Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Democratic primary, a number of humorous Twitter accounts have sprung up to support the Massachusetts senator.

While the "American Girl Dolls for Ed Markey" Twitter account is not officially affiliated with the 74-year-old Senator's campaign (or even the Mattell toy company, for that matter), the account's owner is trying to "manifest" a win for Markey.

Seemingly launched with a tweet on August 26, the joke account is trying to get people to vote for Markey and volunteer for the campaign using the power of memes. The American Girl Dolls account is actually just one part of what's referred to on Twitter as "the Markeyverse," a network of various meme-heavy "for Markey" accounts. These Markeyverse accounts use memes focused on various fictional characters or TV shows to call for Markey's re-election.

Just two examples: "Shrek for Markey" and "Edward Cullen for Ed Markey." The Cullen account has tried to appeal to folks by tweeting that fans of New Moon (the second Twilight book) would love the Green New Deal. Other fan groups have also created similar accounts, like "Swifties for Ed Markey." There are some even sillier accounts that have popped up, such as "Giant Rabbits for Ed Markey."

The American Girl Dolls account recently urged users to join the "Markeyverse manifestation circle" and complete a volunteer shift on behalf of the incumbent senator, ahead of Tuesday's primary.

For what it's worth, Markey's campaign seems to be in on the joke. In tweeting about a recent discussion panel organized by the group Students for Markey, the campaign photoshopped Markey's face into a spoof poster for Marvel's Avengers: Endgame, putting Markey's head on the body of actor Robert Downey Jr.'s. (The panel event was appropriately dubbed "Edgame.")

In a thread posted on August 27, the American Girl Dolls account rattled off the names of several American Girl Dolls and the reasons why they're "supporting" Markey. Samantha is repping for the senator because of his fight for telecommunications in the senate; Joesfina is a fan because of his goal of Medicare for All.

The account also interacts with other members of the "Markeyverse," like the "Poets for Markey" account, which said that it was time for a particular American Girl Doll, the one named Felicity, to endorse the candidate. Apparently it took a little bit of time, but the American Girls Dolls account released a mock statement from the doll on August 27. "As a horse girl, I want bold climate plans. Ed Markey has been a tireless advocate for clean air and water in the Senate. We need his leadership there more than ever," the post says.

Even though it's not officially created by Mattell, the company that owns American Girl Dolls, the joke account has interacted with the official American Girl Dolls account. The comedy account replied to the official account's call for qualities that make a good leader. "Being Ed Markey," the "for Markey" account answered.

A press contact for Markey's campaign did not respond to Newsweek's emailed request for comment in time for publication.