Michael Eisner, Macy Gray, Patty Duke Endorse Dan Adler for California’s Open Congressional Seat

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From a podium in front of a lobby full of retirees and rehabilitation patients at a Torrance retirement campus, on the top of a double-decker bus cruising Venice beach on a Saturday night, or as seen on the front page of the Huffington Post on Monday morning, Patty Duke, Macy Gray, and Michael Eisner all have at least one thing in common: they are voicing their support for the unconventional Democrat Dan Adler in the upcoming special election for California’s 36^th Congressional District.

“stand strong, get things done -- while being reasonable, supportive, and smart.”

In the first political endorsement letter Michael Eisner has penned in his career, the man best known for rebuilding the Walt Disney Company into a prominent multimedia powerhouse points to Dan as “an innovator and a builder of bridges among people.” Eisner’s Huffington Post opinion piece lauds Adler’s “strong ethical compass” and describes Adler as one who will “stand strong, get things done -- while being reasonable, supportive, and smart.” Eisner was in attendance for the Democrats for Israel- L.A. debate last week where Adler displayed his deep firsthand knowledge of Middle East affairs and his sharp grasp on the complexities of America’s role in neighboring countries and the broader region.

On Monday, from a podium in front of a crowded Town Hall-style meeting at Sunnyside Nursing and Retirement Center in Torrance and while with staff at the nearby Torrance Hospital, Adler received the endorsement of Patty Duke, the Academy Award- and Emmy-winning actress, health care advocate and former chief executive of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Duke announced her support of Adler based on his ongoing involvement in issues related to public health and education. Duke, who recently reunited the cast of the Patty Duke Show to spread awareness about online Medicare applications, has been a staunch advocate for Social Security protections during an era where they have become a target to budget-cutting Republicans and donation-pandering Democrats. “I support Dan because, in the 20 years I've known him, I have seen that rare guy who, when he says he'll get something done, follows through and gets it done," she said, adding that "I know he will protect Social Security and fight for the rights of mental health patients."

In what can be considered a microcosm of the creative, grassroots support Adler has received for his Citizen Legislator campaign, Macy Gray, the Grammy-winning popular musician, decided to jump aboard a double-decker campaign bus on Saturday night, a block from the beach, to DJ and to show her support for Adler and their shared passion for protecting the arts, investing in education, finding a long-lasting solution for Middle East peace, and ensuring Americans from all walks of life have equal access to opportunity. "Dan is very passionate and very dedicated to changing things and making things right and making things better for you and me," said Gray.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the endorsements of such widely known and respected people,” said Adler. “It will take passionate citizens -- not career politicians -- to change the partisan dynamic of gridlock in Washington," adding that, "though each of the individuals that endorsed me has a slightly different world view, they all understand that we need to do things differently.”

For more on Dan Adler visit http://adler2011.com/ or to see pictures from the Macy Gray and Patty Duke event, http://www.facebook.com/DanAdlerUSA.