Will Matthew McConaughey run for governor of Texas? 'It's possible, I'm not afraid of risk'

Film star Matthew McConaughey has been saying publicly since the spring that as an independent candidate he could run for governor of Texas.

"Look, this is being seriously considered. It's possible," McConaughey, 52, said in an interview with AFP via Zoom.

McConaughey is a native of Texas, lives in the state capital of Austin, and is very popular there.

"I am an aggressive centrist. Not because it is a gray zone and a place of compromise. I think such a move today requires courage, it is a zone of apostates," he said.

McConaughey’s political ambitions have caused confusion in liberal circles, especially among those outraged by conservative Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over the United States ’most restrictive abortion law.

According to a recent University of Texas poll, Oscar winner McConaughey would fare much better in the race against Abbott than potential Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.

But McConaughey, who grew up in a religious family in a small town in rural Texas, doesn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about either Democrats or Republicans.

"Each party claims for itself that it is the embodiment of democracy, but in essence it often says nothing," says the actor.

"Sometimes you have to go left, sometimes right. There are people on the so-called left and on the so-called right who are better at a certain moment for a certain job."

If he wants to compete for the top position in Texas, McConaughey will have to make a decision by Dec. 13 when the application deadline expires.

In the meantime, he continues to act and runs his foundation to help high school students, and his decision will eventually be reduced to the question of where he can be most useful.

"I'm not afraid of risk, but I really have to ask myself that question and answer it myself."

By: Olivia J. - Gossip Whispers