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In 2006, when Texas country singer, cigar-monger and mystery writer Kinky Friedman ran for governor of Texas, his candidacy was derided because he’s a humorist.

“Would you rather have a governor who can tell a joke,” Friedman wittily retorted, “or one who is a joke?”

Part of Friedman’s platform was that if elected he would “reduce the speed limit to 54.95.” Maybe that’s why he didn’t win — people like to drive fast in Texas — but he did get 12 percent of the vote.

“I won everywhere,” he says, “but Texas.”

This year Friedman has put politics on hold and is touring the West Coast for the first time in 20 years.

He and his band, the Texas Jewboys, appeared at a San Francisco club a couple of months ago, and on Oct. 2 they’ll be back to play in Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park. The 10-year-old festival, which is free, is financed by San Francisco investment banker Warren Hellman, whose band, the Wronglers, is among the 90 or so scheduled performers.

Friedman, now 65 — “but I can read at the 67-year-old level,” he cracks — says the best thing about being a Jew in Texas is that it “keeps me on the outside looking in, which is a pretty good vantage point if you’re an artist.”

Anything else? “Well, here in Texas people are too busy picking on the Mexicans so you kind of get a pass.”

Best known for satirical songs like “They Don’t Make Jews Like Jesus Anymore,” Friedman is seen by some as just a joker or novelty act.

But he’s serious about his craft and has earned kudos from such artists as Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, who asked Friedman to open his shows during the 1970s.

Not all his songs seek a laugh. Friedman’s tune “Ride ’Em Jewboy” is a tribute to the 6 million who perished in the Holocaust.

Born Richard Friedman and nicknamed “Kinky” decades ago for the curly ringlets in his hair, Friedman said he sported quite a Jewfro in his youth: “Oh yeah, Angela Davis all the way, with a cowboy hat.”

Friedman supported President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign but has become disillusioned with him in the Oval Office.

“I don’t trust them [the Obama administration] on Israel anymore,” he says. “Israel is a very small country that could be destroyed with one nuclear weapon, and he has encouraged Israel’s enemies. There’s a lot more Neville Chamberlain in Obama than Winston Churchill.”

Friedman doesn’t see much difference

these days between Democrats and Republicans, saying the word “politics” comes from “poli” meaning many and “tics” for “blood-sucking parasites.”

Asked if Texas could have handled a Jewish governor, Friedman answers without hesitating. “Listen,” he says, “it would have been transformational. We would have gotten rid of the death penalty here, and I think America would have stood up and cheered for Texas if we did that.”

Friedman spent his early childhood in Chicago; when he was 10, his family moved to Texas to open a summer camp for kids.

What did his parents think of his career choice? Friedman said they were supportive but his father thought his band’s name, the Texas Jewboys, was “terrible, and in many respects he was right.”

Friedman is known for his trademark cigar. Contrary to medical research, he believes cigar smoking is good for you, citing countries such as Spain and Greece that have more smokers per capita and longer life expectancy.

Confronted with the possibility that there might be other reasons people in those countries live longer, Friedman retorts, “Then we can only conclude that speaking English is killing us.”

Another Kinky passion is animal welfare. Twelve years ago he opened the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, which takes in abandoned animals and tries to find homes for them.

“We take animals from death’s door — we’re the defender of strays,” he says. “We’re trying to open the gates of heaven a little bit wider. It’s really a scandal that we’re killing millions and millions of dogs and cats every year in our country. It’s a blot, a stain on our society.”

One last question, Kinky: Do you practice Judaism?

“Well if I am a practicing Jew, I need to practice a little bit more. So no, I’m not,” he replies. “I say may the God of your choice bless you.”

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass takes place on six stages in Golden Gate Park, Oct. 1 to 3. Free. Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys play 2:35 p.m. Oct. 2 on the Arrow Stage. Information: www.hardlystrictly bluegrass.com.