Movie star Morgan Freeman is backing his business partner's bid to become Mississippi's new governor.
The actor is to host a fundraising cocktail party in Los Angeles for Bill Luckett, who helped the Oscar winner start his own restaurant in Clarksdale.
In a new letter of support Luckett is sending out to potential financiers, Freeman insists his home state needs new leadership, and he's backing his pal for the 2011 political race.
The attorney, a fervent Democrat, hopes to replace Republican Governor Haley Barbour, who is forbidden from seeking office for a third term.