A viral video showing Texas actor Matthew McConaughey at what appears to be a campaign launch event has once again set the rumor mill swirling about whether he’ll run for governor.
The clip, taken at Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts, shows a stage with signs reading “McConaughey for Governor.” The sign also includes the tagline “Be Pretty Cool if You Voted” — a reference to the 1993 Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused, in which McConaughey had a breakout role.
The stage in the video has all the trappings of a real campaign event, including a podium surrounded by flags and patriotic bunting. So, who could blame the recorder of the video for asking, “Is this real life, y’all? Is Matthew McConaughey actually running for governor of Texas?”
Campaign billboards and yard signs have also popped up across the state, according to multiple media reports.
However, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
The campaign event and yard signs are mere set pieces and promotional stunts for McConaughey’s upcoming Apple+ TV series Brothers, in which he plays a fictionalized version of himself alongside Woody Harrelson, who’s rumored to be his actual brother, according to one theory.
Given that McConaughey publicly considered running for governor in 2022, it’s no wonder so many took the video and yard signs at face value. And with Gov. Greg Abbott down in the polls, it seems realistic that a wealthy Democrat with high name recognition might be able to step in and really give the incumbent a run for his money.
Indeed, the sheer plausibility of the situation is exactly why the clip has served as effective viral marketing for the upcoming series.
McConaughey told People in September that, while he’s seriously contemplating a gubernatorial run, he won’t do so until his kids are “out of the house.” His youngest child, Livingston, is 12, which means it will be years before the possibility becomes real.
“If I did that now, I wouldn’t be able to be the father and spend the time with the family the way that I have so far, and it’s something I’m not ready to sacrifice,” the Dallas Buyers Club actor said.
This viral sensation is proof that Texans are champing at the bit for McConaughey’s run for governor, but they’ll have to make do with the fantasy. At least for now.
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