ACTOR Matthew McConaughey stands a chance of becoming the next governor of Texas, a recent poll found.
The poll found that 45 percent of registered voters said that they would elect the actor compared to 33 percent who said they would cast a ballot for the current governor Greg Abbott, and 22 percent said they will vote for someone else.
The survey was conducted by the Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler and polled 1,126 registered voters in Texas in one week this month.
McConaughey has spoken on TV talk shows about his interest to pursue politics in his home state Texas, but it is unclear if he will run as a Democrat or a Republican, according to the Dallas Morning News. However, the actor showed that he is more likely moderate.
Texas is set to have its next gubernatorial election in November 2022.
“Matthew McConaughey gets a huge boost from tremendous name recognition and recognition for what he does to help Texans and add to the celebration of the state’s success,” Mark Owens, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Tyler and the director of the poll, told The Dallas Morning News.
The poll also found that 56 percent of Republicans said they will vote for Abbott, and 33 percent said they will choose McConaughey.
Additionally, 66 percent of Democrats said they will vote for the actor if he runs for governor, as opposed to eight percent who will pick Abbott. While 44 percent of independent voters said they will go for McConaughey and 28 percent said they will support the current governor.
Survey respondents who described themselves as conservative, Republican primary voters, or evangelical said they will vote for Abbott.
Abbott has solid popularity in Texas, according to Owens, as he “held together a traditional coalition of Texas Republicans and independents who continue to support him.”
But Owens said that Trump supporters also feel friendly towards celebrities and “that sentiment, along with the wishes of one-fifth of the primary electorate for a more moderate nominee, might open a lane in the GOP primary for McConaughey.”
“Most of our survey respondents know his [McConauhey] story, but many are waiting to see how he opens his next chapter,” he added.
McConaughey is not the only celebrity showing an interest in politics.
Legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson revealed he would consider running for President of the United States if he had the public’s backing.
The Hollywood star confirmed his interest in moving into politics in an interview for Sunday Today with Willie Geist.
In a teaser clip, Johnson, 48, said: “I do have that goal to unite our country and I also feel that if this is what the people want, then I will do that.”
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The pro-wrestler-turned actor did not specify which political party he would represent if he launched a presidential bid.
It comes after an online public opinion poll released by consumer trends company Piplsay, found 46 percent of Americans would consider voting for Johnson.
The Rock posted a screenshot of the article on Instagram and wrote that the poll results were ‘humbling’.