Kinky Friedman just may be the next Texas Governor

By April MacIntyre Jul 12, 2006, 15:45 GMT

I first saw Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys perform at a Willie Nelson picnic near Austin, back in the early eighties.  He performed the songs, Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed and They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore.   I fell in love.

Fortunately, there is some light at the end of our bleak political landscape, thanks to this uniquely American singer, songwriter, and novelist – who also has a soft spot for stray dogs, owning a no kill shelter that keeps the unwanted puppies up on all fours.

Imagine having a politician who speaks the truth, tells a damn good joke and loves animals and the environment. 

Kinky and singer Willie Nelson are also involved in promoting bio-diesel fueled cars and trucks, a growing trend here in the States, especially in Los Angeles and the Lone Star state.  A true man of action.

Friedman is one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. If he wins, and indications are that he may well do so, Kinky would be the first Independent candidate elected to the post since old Sam Houston.

The Chicago born native, and University of Texas grad would become the first Jewish governor of Texas.

Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams said Friedman's nickname was not a slogan and thus did not violate state law. His name will appear on election ballots as Richard "Kinky" Friedman.

Williams, a Republican, said independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who is also running against Friedman and incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, cannot include "Grandma" as her nickname on the ballot.

Strayhorn's campaign slogan calls her "One Tough Grandma."

Friedman, who has written a series of novels, first became famous as the leader of satirical country and western band, The Texas Jewboys.

Some have dismissed Friedman's campaign as balderdash, but Friedman has hired a consultant who helped former pro wrestler Jesse "the body" Ventura win the Minnesota governor's race in 1998 to run his campaign.

In conservative Texas, Friedman has used his charisma and sense of humor to state his support for same-sex marriage.

"I support gay marriage," Friedman said in 2005. "I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us." 

Another famous Friedman quote from 1993, ‘When the Cat’s Away”:
“Every time you see a beautiful woman, just remember, somebody got tired of her.”