Actor Matthew McConaughey has announced that after considering the prospect of running for Texas governor, he has chosen not pursue political office at this point in time.
His statement appeared to leave room for the possibility that he could decide to jump into the political fray at some point in the future.
The Hollywood star, who noted that he was born in Uvalde, Texas, described “political leadership” as “a path” which he is “choosing not to take at this moment.”
The actor said that he will keep “supporting 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.”
He said that in examining Texas and U.S. politics he has learned “that our politics needs new purpose; that we have divides that need healing; that we need more trust in our lives; that we gotta start shining a light on our shared values, the ones that cross party lines …”
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— Matthew McConaughey (@Matthew McConaughey)
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GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, who has served at the helm of the Lone Star State since 2015, will be up for election again in 2022.
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced earlier this month that he is throwing his hat into the ring in the gubernatorial race.
O’Rourke’s latest election bid comes after he previously lost a 2018 U.S. Senate contest to incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). In 2019, O’Rourke pursued a presidential bid, but eventually dropped out later that year.