Matthew McConaughey Considering Future Political Run, Tells Governors

Actor Matthew McConaughey continued to tease the possibility of entering the political arena to a room packed with governors. He joked about sharing his brand of tequila with one governor the previous night and received advice from another to be himself if he ever decides to run.

Whether the star of “Dazed and Confused,” “A Time to Kill,” and “True Detective” would run as a Democrat or Republican, and for what position, remains a mystery. McConaughey has kept his political leanings ambiguous and didn’t reveal much at the National Governors Association meeting.

“I’m on a learning tour and have been for probably the last six years,” McConaughey told New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy when asked about his plans. “Do I have the instincts and intellect that it would be a good fit for me and I would be good for it? You know, would I be useful?”

He mentioned that he was learning a lot from the governors’ annual summer meeting. “I learned a lot from you last night through that tequila, sir,” he joked with Murphy, who had mentioned drinking McConaughey’s tequila with him.

McConaughey was part of a panel discussion with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat. They discussed ways to promote civility in politics.

Cox, the affable governor of Utah, has led a “Disagree Better” campaign aimed at countering harsh rhetoric and combativeness in government. This initiative has interested McConaughey, who has also called for U.S. leaders to practice more respect.

The trio talked about how the need for politicians to capture attention and online clicks drives extreme rhetoric. McConaughey noted that extreme polarization has also permeated Hollywood.

“My industry has to watch its tongue out of the gate because it’s coming from the left. We have to open that conversation with our opening statements and not invalidate a moderate or conservative at the gate, which we’re guilty of to an extent,” McConaughey commented, referring to actors and directors voicing their political opinions.

In 2022, McConaughey hinted he might run for governor in his home state of Texas. He has been vocal about gun control, urging Congress after the Uvalde, Texas school massacre to pass legislation strengthening background checks for gun purchases and raising the minimum age to purchase an AR-15-style rifle from 18 to 21.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, encouraged McConaughey to consider running and offered some advice. “Don’t fall into the trap to think you should be just one thing,” said Green. “A lot of Republicans will want you to be Republican, and a lot of Democrats will want you to be a Democrat. Just be you because that might be something special for all of us.”