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Rumours that Matthew McConaughey is considering a run at becoming governor of Texas are heating up amidst a report from┬аPolitico┬аthat the тАЬDallas Buyers ClubтАЭ Oscar winner has been тАЬquietly making calls to influential people in Texas political circles, including a deep-pocketed moderate Republican and energy CEO, to take their temperature on the race and to talk about seriously throwing his hat in the ring.тАЭ
If McConaughey does decide to run, political consultant Karl Rove (who guided former Texas governor George W. Bush to two terms in the White House) predicts a tough path forward.
тАЬI find it improbable, but itтАЩs not out of the question,тАЭ he said of a McConaughey victory.
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However, Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser thinks that the old guard in Texas political circles might be underestimating McConaugheyтАЩs popularity in his home state.
тАЬIтАЩm a little more surprised that people arenтАЩt taking him more seriously, honestly,тАЭ said Steinhauser. тАЬCelebrity in this country counts for a lotтАж itтАЩs not like some C-list actor no one likes. He has an appeal.тАЭ
Meanwhile, McConaughey has yet to give any indication as to what party he would affiliate with.
тАЬThe question is: Would he run as a Republican? A Democrat? Independent? And where is he on the political scale? He says he has a funny phrase about being a hardcore centrist, but what party would he run under?тАЭ said Rove.
Gilberto Hinojosa, chair of the Texas Democratic Party, said that his party would тАЬwelcomeтАЭ McConaughey if he decided to run as a Dem.
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тАЬHeтАЩs young, good-looking, smart and has a little wildness тАФ but this is Texas. We like that stuff,тАЭ Hinojosa said. тАЬHe has not reached out to the party that I know of. ItтАЩs absolutely up in the air.тАЭ
However, he also warned of what would likely happen if McConaughey were to run as an independent. тАЬIf he wants to run as an independent, heтАЩd be a spoiler and guarantee [incumbent Republican governor Greg] Abbott gets elected,тАЭ Hinojosa added.
A spokesperson for McConaughey did not comment on the record for┬аPoliticoтАШs story.