Kinky Friedman

Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman (October 31, 1944 – June 27, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician, and former columnist for Texas Monthly. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Had he been successful, Friedman would have been the first independent candidate elected to the post since Sam Houston in 1859, as well as the first Jewish governor of Texas.