Comedian Stephen Colbert said Thursday that he hopes his late-night television persona parodying conservative talk-show hosts doesn't "sully" his sister's congressional bid in South Carolina's first district.
"I don't actually have anything to offer people in a public office, you know? It’s natural for her to run because she has skills and something to offer society," Colbert said during an appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." "I am professionally ridiculous. So I just hope that what I do for a living doesn’t sully her good character."
Colbert's sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, is vying for the congressional seat vacated by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who was appointed from his House seat to the Senate after the resignation of former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Colbert Busch is running as a Democrat; on the Republican side, a wide field — including former Gov. Mark Sanford — is vying for the nomination.
Colbert told Fallon that he would be attending a weekend fundraiser at a South Carolina bowling alley to benefit his sister's campaign.
"We're going to raise money in a bowling alley, because we're of the people," he quipped.
But he went on to offer a more sincere endorsement of his older sister.
“She’s an incredible person,” he said. “She raised three kids by herself, on a salary of, like, $14,000 a year. Went to college and made something of herself. And now she’s going to be the Democratic nominee from South Carolina.”
