Mel Gibson leads poll for governor, but won't run
Hollywood actor and director has emerged as a popular Republican candidate for Governor of California in a poll, and although he appreciates the trust of potential voters, there's no way he's running.
"A source close to Gibson" told TMZ that he is "flattered" by such a positive outcome in the recent poll (which involved only 2,640 respondents and he gained 12 percent), indicating he became the leading Republican candidate – but it's not going to happen.
Let’s remember that another actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, became the Governor of California in 2003. As a Republican, he served two terms, focusing on economic issues, climate reform, and infrastructure. Despite initial skepticism about his candidacy, he gained great popularity thanks to his tough leader image and ability to work across party lines.
As TMZ reports, Mel has never had political ambitions – and that hasn't changed, even if voters like his criticism of current Democratic governance at the state and local levels.
Mel Gibson vs. Democrats
Gibson doesn't hide his views, which he expresses freely. Along with many Los Angeles residents, he sharply criticized Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom for their response to the tragic fires in January. The star was among those who lost their homes.
Mel was also extremely critical of Kamala Harris when she ran against Trump in the presidential elections. Last fall, he bluntly told TMZ that in his opinion, she has "an IQ of a fence post."
Trump's ally
When Trump became president, one of his first moves was appointing Gibson – along with Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone – as the new Special Ambassador of Hollywood.
"It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California. They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries back - greater, better, and stronger than ever before. These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!" stated the Republican politician at the time.
Recently, there was much buzz about how a lawyer lost her job a day after refusing to issue the actor a gun permit. He lost it in 2011 when he was convicted of domestic violence.
