Rupert Boneham Survivor - P 2011
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesRupert Boneham, a fan favorite on three seasons of Survivor, is hoping to parlay that goodwill into a political career.
The Indiana native is mulling a run for governor of the state, according to a website he’s set up at www.rupertforgovernor.com. He said he’s formed an exploratory committee and hopes to make a final decision “in the coming weeks.”
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As for his reason behind his potential career change?
“I have spent my entire adult life serving my community and I see an opportunity to make a difference for Indiana,” he wrote. “While surveying the current choices for our next governor, I do not see anyone that has an understanding of what daily life is like for many Hoosiers nor anyone who appears to understand the harm that misguided government policies are doing to our communities. It is obvious that career politicians are not the answer because they are often the problem. I will be evaluating whether or not hardworking Hoosiers are ready for a new voice with new ideas.”
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According to the Indianapolis Star, Boneham has filed papers with the Indiana Election Division showing that he would run as a Libertarian.
A campaign spokesman, Sean Shepard, said Boneham is not giving interviews yet.
Boneham appeared on three seasons of CBS’ Survivor: Pearl Islands, All-Stars and Heroes vs. Villains. During the finale of All-Stars, it was announced that he had won a $1 million prize for being voted favorite contestant by viewers.
Boneham also has operated Rupert’s Kids, a nonprofit charity that works with troubled youth, for more than 20 years.
