Will Matthew McConaughey run for Texas governor in 2026? The Uvalde-born actor has publicly mused about a gubernatorial campaign in the past, but rumors around him entering the race have reached a new fever pitch as signage reading “McConaughey for Governor” was recently spotted in Austin.
A viral clip posted to TikTok showed tents with a political banner, American flags and a blown-up photograph of McConaughey’s face.
McConaughey, who is known for acting in True Detective and Interstellar, told People in September his political future remains to be determined.
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“The original thing I knew I always wanted to be was a dad,” said McConaughey, who has three children with his wife, Camila.
“If I did that now,” he said, referring to a bid for public office, “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 full scope of contenders vying to be Texas’ next governor will come into clear view after Dec. 8, when the filing period closes for the March midterm elections.
So far, Gov. Greg Abbott has announced his reelection campaign. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin and Houston businessman Andrew White have entered the race on the Democratic side.
If McConaughey were to enter electoral politics, it’s unclear if he’d register as a Republican, Democrat or third-party candidate.
The actor has frequently professed his love for his home state. He’s a fixture at the football games of his alma mater, University of Texas at Austin. McConaughey also appeared at the Texas Capitol this year, advocating for a bill that would increase funding for film incentives.
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Sitting beside Woody Harrelson, McConaughey told Texas lawmakers the pair had given up 15% of their salaries so their upcoming Apple TV+ series Brothers could be filmed in Texas, rather than Georgia, which offered more incentives.
Brothers will follow fictionalized versions of McConaughey and Harrelson as their families live together on a Texas ranch. Production on the show reportedly paused in June, but it was spotted filming at an Austin restaurant this week. It’s unclear if the scene from the viral TikTok post is related to the production. The Dallas Morning News has reached out to McConaughey’s publicist for comment.
Viewer comments on the post ranged from confusion to amusement, with users asking, “Is this for real or a movie?” and “I thought he was running for real,” while another wrote, “That campaign stuff looks too legit.”
McConaughey graduated from UT Austin with a degree in radio, television and film, and went on to build an acclaimed film career with roles in Dazed and Confused, A Time to Kill, The Lincoln Lawyer and Dallas Buyers Club.
He also oversees the Just Keep Livin’ Foundation and serves as a professor of practice at UT Austin.
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