Reiterating that he has been considering a run for the governor’s mansion, the actor said he has learned a lot about Texas politics and believes that “we gotta start shining a light on our shared values, the ones that cross party lines, the ones that build bridges instead of burn them.”
“As a simple kid born in the little town of Uvalde, Texas, it never occurred to me that I would one day be considered for political leadership,” McConaughey said.
“It’s a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It is also a path that I am choosing not to take at this moment.”
McConaughey expressed that he plans to continue “supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, and foundations that I believe are leaders.”
Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler), who is a retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, commented on social media about the incorrect placement of the American Flag, which appeared on McConaughey’s left, and the Flag of Texas, which appeared on his right.
“Flags are placed wrong. American flag is always on its right. Oh, and having a position on guns similar to Beto is wrong too,” Schaefer tweeted, referring to Democratic gubernatorial contender Beto O’Rourke.
In 2018, McConaughey spoke at a “March for Our Lives” rally at the State Capitol and later told reporters that he was opposed to “assault rifles.”
“They have to watch that it doesn’t get hijacked, meaning a lot of the crowd was for no guns at all. That was not, though, March for Our Lives,” he said about the organization, which began after the murder of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and supports heavy gun control.
“March for Our Lives was for rifles, just responsible gun ownership, but against assault rifles, against unlimited magazines, and for following up on irregulations [sic], those four things I think are right on the money.”
McConaughey is a professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin, where he has taught in the Moody College of Communication since 2019.
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Hayden Sparks
Hayden Sparks is a senior reporter for The Texan and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. He has coached competitive speech and debate and has been involved in politics since a young age. One of Hayden's favorite quotes is by Sam Houston: "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
