"Batman Forever" and "Tombstone" actor Val Kilmer recently told gossip columnist Cindy Adams that he’s very interested in running for governor of New Mexico if the current governor Bill Richardson is named as Secretary of State in the Obama cabinet, as is rumored.
Kilmer has zero political experience but other actors have been successful in bids for public office, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan, Fred Thompson, Sonny Bono, and Clint Eastwood. Kilmer isn't exactly qualified, but he's a Daisy if he can pull this off!
He told Adams of the New York Post:
“There’s sort of a rumor around that I’m maybe thinking about running to be governor of New Mexico? Well, it’s sort of true. It’s been my home 25 years. I really love my state. Poor, hardworking, decent people - Native Americans, carpenters, artists, expats, mixed in with hundreds of the world’s smartest physicists at Los Alamos. I’ve always thought of myself as functioning as a candidate for them.
“The media interests me and it’s influenced politicians since the ’60s, and I’m approaching this as a worthy serious endeavor. I would be very comfortable in my position as a representative for the people.”
“People in the state are being supportive. Our current governor, Bill Richardson, who’s hoping to be picked as secretary of state, and whom I’ve seen down in the dirt helping people you know could never help him in return, and whom I love, had a dinner for me and said not to dismiss the idea. Said I could be a great governor…
“After I wrap this film, I’m off to LA to see my kids then home to New Mexico to talk to friends and see what they say. I know I’m not yet qualified for the job. It’s not like I need fame. If that’s what it’s all about, I wouldn’t live in New Mexico. But I don’t want to be a train wreck. I have to see if people will put up the money for my run. I have to think about putting my acting on hold. Being famous as a movie actor is one thing, but they take no prisoners in politics. I have to think what this might do to my kids.
“Or to anybody. I plan to sit down with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Like I had dinner with Jane Fonda years ago and said even though I’m against war and didn’t vote for Bush, I would support anyone who becomes president because I couldn’t let any single person ruin my definition of America. She never invited me back. That’s a bitch because I really liked her.”
Governor Richardson is quoted as saying in September that “I like the idea [of Kilmer running]. Val Kilmer is a New Mexican, he was Batman. You know there have been successful actors going into politics. I haven’t talked to him about it, I don’t know how serious he is, but you know if he jumps in a race he’s got name ID, so it can’t be discounted.”
