Matthew McConaughey is facing criticism after declining to endorse a Democratic candidate in Texas’s fiercely contested midterm elections.
The 56-year-old Texas native appealed to independent voters Sunday, just before early voting began across the state, urging those still undecided to show up and cast their ballots.
“They’ve been telling us for years that an independent vote is a wasted vote. Well, the great question for our times is, how’s that wasted vote been working out for you?” McConaughey said in a six-minute video shared on social media.
“I’m not here today to endorse a candidate or party. I’m here endorsing two things: fairness and reality. I believe in a fair fight.”
The Interstellar star argued that independent voters, including himself, could have a meaningful impact at the ballot box.
“Now, let’s clear something up about independents. Independent does not mean you’re middle of the road; independent is the original road. Before there was ever a Republican or a Democrat, there was an American.
“Our birth certificate is not the declaration of compromise, it is the Declaration of Independence… A true independent is not even against the Rs and the Ds. A true independent takes the best of both. That’s not indecision, that’s judgment.”
His message quickly drew backlash, with critics arguing that the election was no time to promote a third-party or long-shot option.
“I’m not here today to endorse a candidate or party, I’m here endorsing two things: Fairness and reality. I believe in a fair fight,” McConaughey said in the video.
Democrat James Talarico (left) holds a narrow lead over Attorney General Ken Paxton (right) in the Texas Senate race.
“I love the message here. But we’re at a critical moment here,” musician Howi Spangler wrote in response to McConaughey’s post.
“Trump isn’t on the ballot, but Trumpism is. And we have to try and neuter this administration before they burn it all to the ground.”
One fellow Texan was more direct, accusing the actor on Instagram of sending a divisive message: “This is a dangerously reckless message to spew! You’re splitting the vote! If you’re MAGA, just say that and leave everyone else alone!”
“Not the f**king time to put this out there, especially when you’re a Texan,” another critic wrote.
A third commenter accused McConaughey of using his public platform to elevate himself, writing: “You’re splitting the vote with your voice and platform just so you can hear the sound of your voice.”
“Are you kidding?” another person asked. “We need to VOTE BLUE!!!”
Several commenters also questioned whether McConaughey was secretly a Republican and attempting to divert support from Democratic candidates “through the backdoor.”
Others focused on the timing of his appeal, arguing that the midterm elections were “far too critical to not vote blue.”
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However, his supporters were quick to criticize him, saying the current election was no time to promote a long-shot candidate. Some even accused him of secretly supporting MAGA.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck, the country-is-on-fire moment. Vote blue,” one commenter wrote.
In his video, the Dallas Buyers Club actor went on to say that sending independent candidates to Washington will help split party lines in Congress and make it more fair. He encouraged Americans to consider them as split partisan decisions would have to be made by independent politicians.
‘The reality is the midterms are coming… you do have more than two choices,’ McConaughey said.
‘I’m not telling you who to vote for, I’m telling you to look at your ballot, study up, see if they represent you, what you believe in. Check if they can be that voice of reason and be in the middle for you. And if they can, treat them like a potential winner, because they can be. That’s what fairness looks like.’
He called independents a ‘permanent check to keep [Democrats and Republicans] both honest.’
‘America’s brand was never R or D, it’s independent, enjoy yours to keep living,’ he said with a wink.
Our News Outlet has reached out to McConaughey’s team for comment.
The House of Representatives is currently divided by 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats, and one independent – Kevin Kiley, of California, who caucuses with Republicans. The Senate is currently 53-45-2, with Vermont’s Bernie Sanders and Maine’s Angus King being independent, although both caucus with Democrats.
Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott also faces a tight race with Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Abbott currently has a narrow lead
More Americans are increasingly declaring themselves as independent, with a Gallup poll finding a record-high of 45 percent of US adults identifying as such.
There are few candidates running as independents in the midterms, including Alaska House candidate Bill Hill and Florida’s Seth Haskin.
In McConaughey’s home state, early voting records are already being broken, as Harris and Dallas counties saw huge numbers of residents at the polls and there’s whispers the staunch Republican state could see some seats turn blue.
Texas has a few big races, including for a Senate seat where Democrat James Talarico faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. If Talarico wins the seat, it will be the first time the Lone Star State sends a Democrat to the Senate in 33 years.
A new CBS poll showed the 37-year-old Democrat narrowly leading the race over Paxton.
The governor’s race is equally as tight, with incumbent Greg Abbott, who is Republican, narrowly ahead of Democrat Gina Hinojosa by one point, according to a Siena Research Institute poll.
The midterm election is on Tuesday, November 3, but several states have already begun early voting.
