LOS ANGELES – Porn king Larry Flynt wants to rule California.

The Hustler magazine publisher has filed initial paperwork to run in the gubernatorial recall election and says he may spend a large amount of his own money if people take his candidacy seriously.

The registered Democrat, civil libertarian and free speech advocate said he’d solve California’s budget woes by expanding slot machine gambling. His holdings include several casinos.

“California is the most progressive state in the union,” said Flynt, 61. “I don’t think anyone here will have a problem with a smut peddler as governor.”

Flynt had not yet paid the $3,500 filing fee by Thursday afternoon, according to the California Secretary of State Web site.

More than 250 people statewide have taken the very first step of filing the paperwork with county registrars, according to the site. Other quirky candidates include several men named Gray Davis and Angelyne, the blonde, buxom artist made famous by her depiction on numerous Hollywood billboards.

To get on the Oct. 7 ballot, declared candidates also need at least 65 signatures from voters registered in their party.