Betty White took her love for animals into the political world with the release of a new campaign ad Monday, backing longtime U.S. Rep. Howard Berman of California in his heated re-election bid.

White, 90, standing on set alongside "Hot in Cleveland" co-star Wendie Malick, praises Berman in the ad for his work with animal rights.

"Betty, if you want a friend in Washington, do you know what you do?" Malick asks White in the spot.

"Get a dog," White replies. "At least that's what I've been told."

Smiling, Malick asks White: "And what else?"

"Re-elect Congressman Howard Berman. The Valley leader who fights for the humane treatment of all animals," White says, later adding: "And he has very nice blue eyes."

White, often dubbed "America's Grandma," has long used her fame to promote animal advocacy groups.

The congressman also appears in the ad, holding a small white dog and delivering the standard political ad message: "I'm Howard Berman, and my friend and I approve this message."

Berman, now in his 15th term, represents California's 28th Congressional District, which covers parts of the San Fernando Valley. Due to redistricting plans, he faces a tough primary battle against fellow Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman.

Among his work for animal rights, Berman co-sponsored a law passed in 2010 that bans the selling of videos showing intentional animal torture.