Kilmer visits Roundhouse, doesn’t meet with guv

Posted 2/04/2009 04:04:00 PM

Actor and potential 2010 gubernatorial candidate Val Kilmer visited the Roundhouse today, but a staffer for the governor says Kilmer didn’t meet with Bill Richardson.

Eric Witt, the governor’s legislative liaison and film and media industry adviser, said he, not Richardson, met with Kilmer.

“Val did not come to see the governor,” Witt said. “He came to see me, actually, and we were just talking about the state of the film industry in New Mexico… and some projects he’s thinking about doing here. That was the extent of it.”

Kilmer, who owns a ranch outside Pecos, has been openly considering running for governor in 2010, which would pit him against Lt. Gov. Diane Denish in the Democratic primary. He was recently quoted by the Boston Globe as saying that there are a lot of actors who become politicians, “and they always win, so I guess we’ll see.”

Kilmer made another stop while at the Roundhouse today, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Steve Terrell. The actor appeared on the floor of the House this afternoon, and was introduced by Speaker Ben Lujan.

Terrell also ran into Kilmer on the first floor of the Roundhouse. In a brief interview, the actor wouldn’t confirm or deny that he’s running for governor.

“I don’t have anything planned,” Terrell quoted Kilmer as saying. “I’m just looking to be more active.”

Though Kilmer has lived in New Mexico for years, he never voted here until 2008. Asked about that, Kilmer was quoted by Terrell as saying, “It’s true. I haven’t voted much, which I regret.” Asked if that would hurt him in a political race, Kilmer said, “No, I think we’re a forgiving people.”