Matthew McConaughey Announces He WON’T Run for Texas Governor in Video Statement
“It is a path that I am choosing not to take at this moment.”
Matthew McConaughey’s name will not be on the ballot in the 2022 Texas gubernatorial race.
Despite a recent poll indicating that he could beat both Republican Gov. Gregg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke in head-to-head matchups, the Oscar-winning actor has decided against a bid for governor of his home state in a three-minute video posted to Twitter.
“Over the past two years, I’ve been working on the answer to the question of how I can be most useful in this life going forward. Useful to myself, useful to my family and to the most amount of people,” McConaughey said per Fox News
“As a simple kid born in the little town of Uvalde, Texas, it never occurred to me that I would one day be considered for political leadership,” he said. “It’s a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It is also a path that I am choosing not to take at this moment.”
Posed between the Texas and American flags, McConaughey continued to orate on the roles of community leaders and politicians.
“I’m going to continue [to support] entrepreneurs, businesses and foundations that I believe are leaders. Establishments that I believe are creating pathways for people to succeed in life. Organizations that have a mission to serve and build trust while also generating prosperity. That’s the American dream.”
“Politicians can help us 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.”
McConaughey then signed off with a salute and another on-brand line.
“In the meantime, and all times, and until next time, just keep livin’.”
The announcement comes after McConaughey said he was “measuring” a gubernatorial run on a September episode of the Set It Straight: Myths and Legends podcast.
“Look, it’s going to be in some capacity…I just, I’m more a folksy and philosopher-poet statesman than I am a, per se, definitive politician. So I go, well that’s a reason not to, but then I go, no, that’s exactly why you should,” he said at the time.
“Because politics needs redefinition, but I’m measuring ‘what is my category? What’s my embassy?’”
At least for now, it’s not the Texas governor’s office.
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