'Not interested': Matthew McConaughey's Texas Gov run hits reality
Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey admitted he will likely not run for governor in Texas after realizing he might not be well suited for the job.
“Is that a place to make real change or is it a place where right now it's a fixed game, you go in there, you just put on a bunch of band-aids, in four years you walk out and they rip them off and you're gone?” McConaughey told the New York Times on Thursday. “I'm not interested in that.”
The actor went on to further explain why he might not be the best option for the 2022 Texas gubernatorial showdown.
“One side I'm arguing is 'McConaughey exactly, that's why you need to go get in there,’” he said. “The other side is 'that's a bag of rats man. Don't touch that with a 10-foot pole. You have another lane. You have another category to have influence and get done things you'd like to get done and help how you think you can help and even heal divides.’”
McConaughey is a self-described moderate but has also staked out liberal positions on gun rights and abortion. In 2018, he told gun owners they should “take one for the team” and turn in their assault rifles.
“Let’s ban the assault weapons for civilians. This is a no-brainer,” the actor said. “That issue saves lives.”
In his most recent interview, McConaughey panned the recently passed Texas abortion law calling it “juvenile in its implementation.”
Current Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is running for reelection. Democrat Beto O’Rourke is also likely to jump into race.