He was never politically correct. His campaign pushed for the “dewuzzification of Texas.”
His campaign platform included legalizing medical marijuana, increasing public education funding through casino gambling, and supporting same-sex marriage.
Despite slogans like “How Hard Could It Be?” and “He ain’t Kinky, he’s my Governor,” Friedman finished last in the race, which saw Republican Incumbent Rick Perry re-elected.
No matter what he did he always carried his trademark humor. “Humor is what I use to attack the windmills of politics as usual,” Friedman explained.
Born Richard Samet Friedman in Chicago, he was raised in Texas, where his family operated Echo Hill Ranch, a camp for children of parents killed in military service. This compassionate aspect of his life reflected a broader commitment to social causes, even as he maintained his provocative public persona.
Funeral services are pending, according to Perkins. The loss of Kinky marks the end of an era. According to Perkins, “He was the last free person on earth … He had an irreverence about him. He was a fearless writer.”
