Ted Cruz says he hopes 'formidable' Matthew McConaughey doesn't run for Texas governor

• Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday he hopes Matthew McConaughey does not get into politics.
• The "Dallas Buyers Club" star has previously said he's considering running for Texas governor.
• Cruz said the actor would pose a "formidable" challenge to Greg Abbott, who is up for reelection.

Sen. Ted Cruz said he hopes Matthew McConaughey does not run for Texas governor because the Hollywood actor would pose a "formidable" challenge to Republican incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, who is up for reelection next year.

In an interview on "The Hugh Hewitt Show" on Thursday, Cruz was complimentary of the actor, but said he hopes he will decide against entering the political arena.

"I think he would undoubtedly be formidable," Cruz said of McConaughey, according to Forbes.

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Asked how the actor would fare in the race against Abbott, Cruz said: "I like Matthew personally. I know him a little bit. Not well, but I've spent a little bit of time with him and he's a very charming, very affable guy," Forbes reported.

"I hope Matthew decides not to run," he added, according to The Hill.

The "Dallas Buyers Club" star, who was born in Uvalde, has previously said he would give running for Texas governor "honest consideration", although he has yet to formally announce his decision.

"I mean, that wouldn't be up to me. It would be up to the people more than it would me," McConaughey said at the time.

The actor's political beliefs are also somewhat vague and it's unclear if he would run under a party banner.

In addition to his acting career, McConaughey is also a professor at the University of Texas Austin, where he teaches a film class.