Kinky Friedman is an independent candidate
looking to earn enough signatures to appear on
the 2006 gubernatorial ballot. Cynics expect
another celebrity candidate without a campaign
or message. But don’t mistake Friedman’s
entertaining personality and use of humor for
taking the gubernatorial campaign lightly. He
is serious about running for governor.
“I can help in an area of spiritual lifting.
I think most Texans are pretty turned off by
their leadership right now, especially younger
ones,” says the humorist/singer/author. “I
think I can get more people into the process,
get people excited about it, and I think I can
help us to rise and shine and bring back the
glory of Texas.”
Friedman explained that the campaign’s
atmosphere is “a little bit” of Howard Dean
and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “a whole lot of
Jesse [Ventura].”
Keeping with that feel, he has already hired
former U.S. Senator Dean Barkley and Bill
Hillsman. If those names sound familiar, it’s
because they turned a wrestler into a
Minnesota governor in 1998.
“These guys say they’ve seen a lot of
similarities between Jesse’s race and this
one,” Friedman said, while at his ranch
outside Austin.
“Dean has seen it all. He’s about the only
guy who’s actually run an independent campaign
for governor and won. Bill Hillsman is, I
think, one of the most creative consultants
going.”
Friedman refused to discuss anything about the
Bush administration except to say, “There’s
lots I agree with, and lots I disagree with.”
His reason for not discussing anything in
Washington was because “that’s all federal
stuff. I’m running for governor, not a king.
I just have to deal with Texas here.”
He had plenty to say on Texas politics,
disagreeing with current governor Rick Perry –
“I think that this governor has failed to
inspire the people of Texas” – the legislature
– “you can lead a legislator to water, but you
can’t make them think” – and career
politicians – “let’s get rid of these jokers;
these guys are really suppressing democracy.”
In fact, Friedman claims to “disagree with
everything that’s done right now.”
“I’m tired of the state being run by empty
suits and empty dresses,” the Kinkster (as
nicknamed by his fans) declares.
Throughout the national press coverage,
Friedman also gained plenty of political
critics. Maybe because newspaper clips and TV
coverage always showcase his flashy side – he
did announce his candidacy at The Alamo while
smoking on a cigar.
Friedman’s answer to anyone doubting him is
“the same reason people thought the world was
flat: people have got to see something happen
before they believe it.” He then cited the
Ventura campaign as a perfect example.
Sure, there is the cigar habit and how
Friedman is the only singer to have written a
country song about the Holocaust. What most
people haven’t read about is where Friedman
stands on issues.
“I’m for gay marriage. I think love is bigger
than government.”
“We need to have life without the possibility
of parole.”
“As far as education goes, I want to do away
with Teaching to the Test. That’s ruined our
education system.”
He continued on. “Texas is in sorry shape.
That’s not all Rick Perry’s fault, but it is
the fault of politics as usual.”
“We’re first in dropouts. We’re 49th
in funding public education and we’re first in
executions…For a state as wealthy as we are in
the fifth richest nation on earth, for us to
be 47th in child poverty with 25
percent of kids living below the poverty line,
it’s terrible.”
If elected, Friedman plans to have a listed
phone number “to keep the customers
satisfied,” as a way for Texans to directly
voice their concerns to the governor.
“It may take a bunch of operators. It may
take a lot of time on my part. But I think
it’ll be worth it.”
Friedman doesn’t know whom he would prefer as
lieutenant governor but promises to fill his
cabinet with “non-political” people.
“Right now, they’re appointing all kinds of
people to the education system that have never
seen the inside of a classroom…No political
appointments whatsoever, so we would not see
that lottery money disappear into some
lobbyist’s pocket.”
The author of 17 mystery novels starring
himself, Friedman admits there are no plans
for Kinky Friedman and the Unsolved
Election.
“I think I’m done with the mysteries. This is
it. The character is dead, the mystery is
dead and it’s over.”
He does agree that every day on the campaign
is like living one of his books, discovering
something new all the time.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride right now.
It’s time for a musician instead of a
politician. I think nothing is more important
than an idea that the time has come, and I
think this idea is in everybody’s head in
Texas.”
Does the former Texas Monthly columnist
have enough support to win, or at least get on
the ballot?
“Over 15,000 have volunteered and taken the
pledge” to sign, he said. Friedman isn’t
allowed to begin his petition drive until
after the March primary and needs 50,000
signatures.
He believes 2002’s low voter turnout was the
result of Texans wanting “a choice of
something more than plastic or paper” and
plans to target the large percentage of
eligible voters choosing not to vote that
year.
“If we did have 58 percent like they had in
Iraq, or 65 percent like they had in
Minnesota, do you think the Republican and
Democratic leadership would be happy when they
saw there was a huge turnout? No, they would
not be happy. They would say, ‘Where the hell
did these people come from? Who are these
people?’ Because they’re not on their voter
rolls, you see.”
Asked about what he wants voters to remember,
Friedman explained, “I’d like them to remember
that this is the last chance for romance, that
this is WWWRD: What Would Will Rogers Do?
This is our chance to get rid of these career
politicians and put a real Texan in for once.
A real Texan is somebody who cares for
everybody in the world.”
He jokingly added, “I have affidavits from
2,500 sheep.”
“Believe me, the teachers will be better off
when I’m governor. They’ll have a friend at
the Governor’s Mansion. So will the
firefighters, the cops and the cowboys.”
And what if he lost?
“I would retire on a petulant snit on a goat
farm. Not speak to anybody.”
Challenging an incumbent governor isn’t easy
to begin with, and the fact that Perry has the
best-conditioned hair around doesn’t make it
any easier. Let’s not forget the most
important question: is Friedman’s hair
attractive enough to become governor?
“Well, I’ve got a head of hair better than
Rick Perry’s,” Friedman admits. “It’s just
not in a place I could show you.”
So there is a reason for that stage name after
all.
Kinky Event Photographs:
Kinky,
Kinky I, Kinky II,
Kinky III
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Campaign Headquarters:
John Jordan
906 1/2 Congress
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478 KINKY (5465)
Fax: (512) 499 1593
info@kinkyfriedman.com
www.kinkyfriedman.com
Politics
Today 
Politics
Today:
Kinky
Friedman
