American comic author and country singer Kinky Friedman is running for Governor of Texas. Kinky is capturing the imaginations of many observers as his campaign continues to exceed expectations, with some sources suggesting that he just might do it.
Running as an independent, Kinky himself says that this is a fight, not against other candidates, but against apathy. The success of the campaign is largely reliant on coercing the 71% of disenfranchised Texan’s who didn’t vote in the last election into action.
Kinky is the author of over twenty detective novels and was once the front man of the country band, firmly rooted in satire, “Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys”, notorious for songs such as “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore”. Although coming into this campaign with no political experience, several observers suggest that it is Kinky’s innate wit and humour together with his sheer and apparent humanity that has placed this campaign in real contention.
“I have no political experience whatsoever,” says Kinky, “and that’s a good thing. I’m a compassionate redneck. I’m 61 years old – too young for Medicare and too old for women to care.”
Despite this tongue in cheek self proclamation as a redneck, Kinky’s campaign is rooted on a progressive platform, including plans to increase wages for teachers, improve health care, institute political reforms and his recently unveiled plans to substantially increase Texas’ reliance on renewable energy. He observed of the current political climate in Texas “everybody is saying the same things. The voters really want fundamental change, not cosmetic change.”
Rarely seen without a cigar and known for his trademark black cowboy hat, Kinky is also the founder of the UTOPIA Animal Rescue Ranch which cares for abandoned, elderly and sick animals.
The 2006 election for the Texas Governor will take place on November 7th. “I feel happy and privileged to be a part of this,” says Kinky, “if we can fight apathy, we can win.”
For more details on Kinky’s campaign go to his website or check out the official campaign myspace page