We here at Metaflix don’t often report on politics, but we do report on celebrities. And frankly, celebrities and politics seem to be going hand in hand more and more these days. After 4 years of a reality star guessing and tweeting his way through the highest office in the country, it’s probably not surprising another celebrity is trying his hand. Oscar winning actor and Lincoln Uber driver Matthew McConaughey is making calls about a potential governor run.
Politico reported Sunday that Texan McConaughey was making calls to elite political members or those connected with them to discuss the potential of a run. These calls occur early in a race for candidates to see if they will have the support to mount a campaign. Donors, moderate Republicans, and business owners were among the calls McConaughey reportedly made.
McConaughey’s reason? Here’s what he has to say: “I’m looking into now again, what is my leadership role?” he said. “Because I do think I have some things to teach and share, and what is my role? What’s my category in my next chapter of life that I’m going into?”
One can presume Matthew McConaughey may indeed have something to teach. Mostly how one can get into a cage with a mountain lion and have it purr in your lap. Yes, this is real. He really took Peyote and got into a cage with a mountain lion.
Matthew McConaughey’s film career centered around the era of the McConaissance, where he had a string of award caliber roles. From “Lincoln Lawyer” to “Dallas Buyers Club” to “Mud” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” to “True Detective,” McConaughey was on fire. As an actor, he has an impressive record. Of course, none of that is really a qualification for governor.
However, many people may see it as exactly that. In an April poll, McConaughey would triumph over incumbent Greg Abbott 45% to 33%, and 22% voting “someone else” for now. Mimi Swartz pondered in a New York Times essay whether McConaughey would be any worse than the current leadership of Texas.
But the story can change. Right now, McConaughey’s popularity may be driven by the fact he hasn’t even chosen a party. Although it looks like he might run as a Republican, reports also speculate that he could run as a Democrat or even independent. But the trend of celebrities running for office is storied and not likely to end soon—Reagan, Schwarzenegger, Trump—with Caitlyn Jenner now challenging Governor Gavin Newsom in California.
But while his star appeal may be helping him before he decides whether to run, taking stances will alienate voters. A senior Texan Republican operative told politico: “Everybody loves you until you take a position.”
