Matthew McConaughey, Texas Governor? In what one might consider the most out of left field news of 2021, film star Matthew McConaughey has made it clear that he is giving major consideration toward running for Texas Governor’s seat. In the past, the Texas native has shot down previous inquiries into his desire to run for office. Stephen Colbert confronted McConaughey when rumors first started surfacing about the Academy Award winner’s possible interest in a future in politics. At the time, the actor said he “had no plans…” at the time to get into the political ring.
Skip to four months later and he has seemingly reversed his position on the matter.
In a number of interviews with local Texas outlets, McConaughey has been more defiant about his intentions. He has not outright stated that he is running, but he has been very clear that he is considering it.
As a guest on The Balanced Voice podcast, he is quoted as telling host Rania Mankarious that it is a “true consideration.” This remark was in regards to McConaughey running against incumbent Governor, Greg Abbott.
In another Thursday appearance the star remarked to The Austin Statesman how it would be foolish of him to not take the position into consideration. “I am considering, as I said I’d be a fool not to,” he states. “…But I honestly have to ask myself, ‘How can I be most useful?’ And maybe that’s as a free agent.” While his quotes may make it sound like he is ready to get the ball on a campaign running, he was clear that this is not him declaring he is actually throwing his hat into the ring. “I would say, as far as running, I’m not until I am. So my decision hasn’t changed because I’m still not.”
The next day, a piece aired on NBC’s Today, featuring McConaughey and host Al Roker assisting Meals on Wheels in delivering food to those in need in Central Texas. During their time together, Roker also broached the subject of the possible political future of the Hollywood star.
With McConaughey still being non-committal to the process at the moment, he does see it as part of his life, somewhere down the line. He told Roker, “What I’ve gotta choose for myself is, I want to get into a leadership role in the next chapter of my life. Now, what role am I gonna be most useful in? I don’t know that that’s in a political position, or if that’s me as a free agent. It might be me as a free agent. So that’s something I’m personally working on is what is my position of most use in a leadership role.”