Texas native Matthew McConaughey is urging independent voters to make their voices heard thiselection cycle, as they serve as a "permanent check" on Republicans and Democrats.
In a six-minute video posted to his social media
, McConaughey, 56, born in Uvalde, discussed how independent voters and candidates can affect elections and how government works. He also said that their vote is not "a wasted vote.""Independents belong in the fight, not as a protest, not as a spoiler, but as a real and potential winner on the ballot and considered seriously by us," he said.
Not endorsing a candidate or a party, McConaughey said America's largest political identification is neither Democrat nor Republican, but independent.
He also defined an independent not
as someone in the middle of the road, but as the "original road" of America's democracy.
"A true independent is not even against the R's or the D's," McConaughey said. "A true independent takes the best of both, and that's not indecision. It's judgment."
McConaughey argued that independent candidates wield significant power in a closely divided Congress, saying "they're not a minority; they're the majority maker."
He also said independent elected officials can force both parties to "compete for the middle" rather than push legislation toward their respective parties' ideas.
"The reality is that midterms are coming, and this November, in more places than ever, you do have more than two choices," he said. "And I'm not telling you who to vote for. I'm telling you to look at your ballots, study up, see if they represent you, what you believe in."
As a Texan, McConaughey's appeal lands as independents emerge as a decisive bloc in several Texas races. Here's how independents are breaking in the Texas Senate and governor's race according to recent polling.
Independents favor James Talarico over Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race
Democrat James Talarico is holding a slight lead over Republican Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate in Texas." id="91984619007">
A University of Houston poll released Oct. 18 — a day before early voting started in the state — showed Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton, 48% to 46%, with 60% of independents backing Talarico, with 32% breaking for Paxton.
An Oct. 14 Marist poll showed Talarico and Paxton at 47% to 45%, with 52% of likely independent voters supporting Talarico and 30% supporting Paxton.
Another poll released on Oct. 13 from the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project showed Paxton trailing Talarico, 47% to 50%. That poll found that independent voters prefer Talarico over Paxton, 69% to 11%.
Independents break for Democrat over Republican incumbent in Texas governor's race
In the race to lead Texas, the University of Houston poll showed Gov. Greg Abbott leads Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa with 36% of independent voters backing Abbott and 55% backing Hinojosa.
The October Marist poll showed Abbott leads Hinojosa, 49% to 45%, among likely voters, with 53% of independents favoring Hinojosa and 36% favoring Abbott.
An Oct. 13 ReconMR poll showed Abbott edging ahead of Hinojosa, 48% to 47%, while Hinojosa leads likely independents 57% to 34%.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas, based in Austin. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McConaughey says independents serve as 'permanent check' on parties
