Oregon – Mary Carey is popular, and apparently not just in the adult-film industry.
In between porn movies and publicity appearances, the former California gubernatorial candidate is involved in a pilot for a television sitcom and a nationwide project urging young people to register to vote.
During spring break next week, she plans to canvass Panama City, Fla.
“I didn’t register to vote until I ran,” Carey said Friday during a well-advertised appearance in Salem. “I was never really paying attention to politics. I didn’t really think it concerned me. I think a lot of young people feel that way.
“Now I’m getting involved.”
The actress, 23, was a big draw at the Adult Shop on Mission Street S, with men, women and couples lining up to get a chance to meet her. By the time the four-hour gig was over, store officials estimated that a couple of hundred patrons had filtered through, most paying $10 each to be photographed with the woman, whose real name is Mary Cook.
During the campaign, she attracted international attention and appeared on such national TV programs as The Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight and The O’Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel.
Before her adoring fans were allowed in Friday, Carey talked about how much she likes Oregon and about her political aspirations.
After finishing 10th in the race for California governor, with more than 11,000 votes, she has lowered her sights to mayor.
“Maybe I’ll move here. Maybe I’ll run for mayor of Salem,” she said with a teasing smile. “I don’t know if I would do well here or not.”
Janet Taylor shouldn’t have to worry about the competition. Carey figures that it would be easier to run for mayor in California “because they’re the most open-minded, like in Hollywood,” or in Florida, where she has a house.
The crowd that Carey attracted in Salem did not surprise Erik Schipani, her husband of almost four years.
“She’s always gotten a lot of attention, even before the governor thing,” said Schipani, who kept himself busy by taking the Polaroid pictures.
Her views on other issues:
•Her film career: “I’d rather almost be a (television) reporter than a porn star. I wanted to be on camera so bad that I took the easy way out. Porn was an easier way to get on camera than continuing that communications degree I was working on.
•College (Florida Atlantic University): “I have 81 credit hours and a C-plus GPA. I’m going to go back to school. Now I want a degree in psychology.”
•Why she ran for governor: “During the run, my politically correct answer was always, ‘I want to make a difference, and I want to show anyone can do it.'” But she said the movie studio she works for “called me up and said, ‘Do you want to run for governor? It would be great publicity.’ I said, ‘Sure.'”
•California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I think he’s doing a really good job, considering that it hasn’t been easy. The strip clubs had the 6-foot rule and he got rid of that, so that was good. I think he’s doing really good with the taxes. He seems to be speaking with the people. I think he’s going to be president one day. I love Arnold.”
•President Bush: “I’m actually going to vote for (John) Kerry. Carey for Kerry!”
•Same-sex marriage in Oregon: “That was one of my platforms – legalize gay marriage. I think that’s great. I don’t understand why it shouldn’t be legal.”
•The war in Iraq: “I really don’t know too much about the war … When Clinton was in office, he was making friends with people. Clinton was great. I wish Clinton could just be permanent president. I think he was the best president ever.”