Actor Matthew McConaughey announced on Sunday that he will not run for governor in Texas, following months of speculation.
McConaughey said in September that he was “measuring” the idea of a gubernatorial, calling himself “more of a folksy and philosopher poet statesman than I am a, per se, definitive politician.”
In a video posted on Twitter, McConaughey said that he has “been considering a run for the governor of Texas, I’ve been listening, I’ve been learning, I’ve been measuring.”
Amid his public speculation, McConaughey, who has no stated political affiliation, emerged as a possible frontrunner.
A University of Texas poll showed the actor beating out Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) by eight points in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup.
“I’ve been studying Texas politics and American politics,” McConaughey said in the video. “What have I learned? A lot — that we have some problems we need to fix, that our politics need new purpose, that we have divides that need healing…”
He went on to rule out a gubernatorial bid, saying that he would instead focus on supporting “entrepreneurs, businesses, and foundations that are “creating pathways for people to succeed in life.”
“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
Watch above, via Twitter