More On:
matthew mcconaughey
‘Rock’ solid: Here’s how many Americans want Dwayne Johnson to run for president
Inside Matthew McConaughey’s new Hawaiian oasis
Matthew McConaughey: A Hollywood star who actually thinks for himself
How Matthew McConaughey’s ‘Dazed and Confused’ role launched his career
Matthew McConaughey may not be acting when he says he’s interested in a run for Texas governor.
The Oscar-winning star of “Dallas Buyers Club” has been making calls to a club of elite politically-connected Texans to talk about getting into the 2022 gubernatorial race, Politico reported Sunday, citing sources.
McConaughey has been talking to “deep-pocketed” moderate Republicans and business leaders in the Lone Star State to gauge their support, Politico said.
The 51-year-old actor would have to get through Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is planning to seek re-election next year and is already facing a likely primary challenge from Sen. Don Huffines. No Democrat has announced a run yet.
There’s speculation “The Lincoln Lawyer” might not run as a candidate in the party of Lincoln. There’s speculation he could dive into politics as a Democrat or independent, according to Politico.
McConaughey, an Austin resident, has been saying in interviews for months that he was considering a run.
On “The Balanced Voice” podcast in March, he said a bid for governor could be a next step.
“And I’m looking into now, what is my leadership role?” McConaughey said. “Because I do think I have some things to teach and share.
“What is my role, what is my category in my next chapter of life that I’m going into now?”
In a CNBC interview later that month, he doubled down.
“I’m not teasing the idea or anything,” McConaughey said. “I’m actually trying to look at the idea and give it serious consideration.”
McConaughey hasn’t said much about what his political platform would be, but a recent poll of registered voters showed him ahead of Abbott.
The Dallas Morning News and University of Texas at Tyler found 45 percent of Texans would pick the actor, while 33 percent would vote for Abbott. But 56 percent of Republicans would vote for Abbott, while 30 percent would vote for McConaughey, the poll found.
Right now, McConaughey is a blank slate, an unnamed source identified as a senior Texas Republican operative told Politico.
“Everybody loves you until you take a position,” the operative was quoted as saying.
“You could go to a campaign event with him and get to meet a movie star but it’s a little different when he says he’s pro-life or pro-choice and there’s 50 other issues you could pick on that would have the same effect.”
Share this article:
Source: Read Full Article
