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Topline
Matthew McConaughey will not be running for governor of Texas in the state’s upcoming election in 2022, the actor announced on Sunday, a move that comes after he publicly weighed a run for political office for several months.
McConaughey told reporters several times in the past year that he was interested in running for … [+]
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Key Facts
In a video posted on social media, McConaughey said running for governor was a “humbling and inspiring path to ponder” but it was a path that “I’m choosing not to take at this moment.”
Instead of running for office, the actor said he intends to continue his support of entrepreneurs, businesses, foundations and establishments that are creating “pathways for people to succeed” adding “that’s the American dream.”
The 52-year-old actor’s announcement comes just two weeks before the candidate filing deadline for the Texas primary.
Crucial Quote
“Politicians? The good ones can help us to get to where we need to go, yeah. But let’s be clear, they can’t do anything for us unless we choose to do for ourselves,” the actor said in his announcement video.
Key Background
Texas’ Republican Governor Greg Abbott is seeking a third term in office next year but first he will face at least three challengers in the Republican primary. For the Democrats, former Congressman Beto O’Rourke has emerged as the most high profile candidate. Despite teasing an gubernatorial run, McConaughey never publicly revealed if he would run as either a Democrat, Republican or Independent. The actor has however previously described himself as “aggressively centrist.” In an interview with the New York Times earlier this month, McConaughey said he didn’t support mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for younger children yet and noted that his children hadn’t received the shots yet. Despite his opposition to vaccine mandates the actor appeared to support mask-wearing mandates calling it a “small inconvenience for possible long-term freedom.”
Big Number
49%. That’s the percentage of polled Texas voters who said they would support McConaughey over O’Rourke in a straight head-to-head, according to a poll carried out by The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler. Support for the former congressman over the actor only stood at 27%.
Further Reading
Matthew McConaughey Says He Will Not Run for Texas Governor ‘at This Moment’ (New York Times)
Matthew McConaughey says he won’t run for Texas governor (Texas Tribune)
Source: Forbes
