This post was originally published on this site
Ending months of speculation, actor Matthew McConaughey said Sunday he will not run for governor of Texas.
In a three-minute video posted to social media, McConaughey said that while he has explored the possibility of running for office, it’s “a path that I’m choosing not to take at this moment.”
“What have I learned? A lot. That we have some problems we need to fix. That our politics needs new purpose. That we have divides that need healing,” he said. “Politicians, the good ones, can help us get to where we need to go … but let’s be clear, they can’t do anything for us unless we choose to do for ourselves.”
McConaughey said he will instead “continue to work and invest the bounty I have by supporting entrepreneurs, businesses and foundations that I believe… are creating pathways for people to succeed in life.”
A Dallas Morning News poll last week found McConaughey beating Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in a head-to-head race, and polling slightly ahead of Democrat Beto O’Rourke in a three-way race. He faced a Dec. 13 deadline to announce his candidacy for the 2022 election.
The Oscar-winning McConaughey, known for his roles in such movies as “Dazed and Confused,” “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Magic Mike,” had not stated a party affiliation, and has never held public office.
