Matthew McConaughey is reportedly making calls regarding a run for Texas governor

TX – Matthew McConaughey is reportedly weighing a run for Texas governor in 2022.

The Austin resident and Oscar winner has been “quietly making calls to influential people in Texas political circles, including a deep-pocketed moderate Republican and energy CEO” as he decides whether to run, according to Politico.

McConaughey said a gubernatorial run is “a true consideration” while on a March episode of Houston’s “The Balanced Voice” podcast.

Although most political strategists doubt McConaughey’s commitment and viability as a candidate, some are still intrigued by the possibility.

“I find it improbable, but it’s not out of the question,” Karl Rove, a top Republican strategist with a long history in Austin, told the political news site. He added that the big question is whether McConaughey would run as a Republican, a Democrat or an independent.

Brendan Steinhauser, an Austin-based GOP strategist, told Politico he’s surprised McConaughey isn’t being taken more seriously. “Celebrity in this country counts for a lot,” he said. “It’s not like some C-list actor no one likes. He has an appeal.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to run for a third term and remains popular among Republican voters, 77% of whom approve of his performance as of April, according to the Texas Politics Project.

Some strategists believe an independent McConaughey run would benefit Abbott. But a recent poll from The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler found that McConaughey would beat Abbott, 45% to 33%, with 22% opting for someone else.

Mimi Swartz, an executive editor at Texas Monthly, mulled a McConaughey run in a recent opinion essay from the New York Times. “Texas may not be ready for a philosopher king as a candidate, much less governor,” she wrote. “May the best man win, man.”