SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Porn actress Mary Carey’s message may not be resonating with many voters but her bid to become California governor has her videos flying off shelves.
The blond, buxom adult film actress is one of 132 candidates running to replace Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in a recall election that has become a circus-like affair and made California the butt of jokes around the world.
The 23-year-old has certainly grabbed plenty of headlines and photo opportunities as she promotes legalizing gay marriage, a plan to tax breast implants and, of course, her own career, in a gubernatorial run that has created a growing number of fans at her appearances.
Yet at a San Francisco trade show she proved herself a candidate who stays on message. Carey downplayed the business benefits of her gubernatorial run and instead told Reuters how her campaign allows her to share her ideas with California.
“I want to show people just because I have blond hair, big boobs and do porn that I am not dumb,” Carey said as fans waited in line to get her autograph and take her picture.
“Running for governor is pretty much for me to get my ideas out there.”
Carey, whose current videos such as “New Wave Hookers 7” and “Grand Opening” are described as a series of comedic sketches with sex, added she believes Californians will support her because she works hard for her $200,000 income.
But Mark Kulkis, the president of Kick Ass pictures which puts out Carey’s films, acknowledged that running for governor has been a smart career choice for the Ohio-born performer who attended her latest campaign stop wearing a tight red shirt, black pants and high heels.
“It has been very good,” said Kulkis. “Since the campaign started we have definitely seen a pick-up.”
Other porn performers applauded Carey’s efforts to take advantage of the state’s unprecedented recall election that features an action movie star who made a career killing his rivals on-screen as the top Republican candidate.
Sunrise Adams, whose film credits include “My Perfect 10’s” and “More Dirty Debutantes #18,” said while many see the recall as a joke, Carey has found a way to make herself a household name.
“She is really sweet but everyone knows this is a joke,” said Adams, wearing a pink blouse, wire-rim glasses and black skirt. “But it is an amazing career move and people are going to remember her forever.”
Carey’s campaign also involved participation in a Game Show Network contest: “Who Wants to be Governor of California” taped on Wednesday and slated to run on the cable channel on Oct. 1. It included five other minor candidates, including former child star Gary Coleman.
Carey, whose Web Site states she wants to have sex with Republican candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger, also knows how to play an audience.
At the San Francisco event she peppered her comments with lewd comments, repeatedly grabbed and routinely flashed what she says are her “all real, American-made” breasts.
“I like the notoriety, it’s fun,” Carey said.