NASHVILLE (AP) — Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper says receiving Taylor Swift's endorsement was like "manna from heaven," calling it "the least expected thing that's ever happened" to him and "one of the great honors" in his life.

Swift unexpectedly waded into politics in an Oct. 7 Instagram post. She endorsed the Nashville congressman and backed Democratic ex-Gov. Phil Bredesen for Senate.

Unlike Bredesen, who faces GOP Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn in a tough race, Cooper has minimal opposition in his Democratic-leaning district.

Cooper said he was at dinner that night and thought something terrible had happened because his phone started exploding with messages. They were about Swift's post.

In an interview Wednesday, Cooper jokingly said his daughter "was as excited as she's ever been in her whole life, including her own wedding."