Washington — A lot of skilled athletes and coaches could have retired from their sports activities, however they’re not achieved competing. As an alternative, they’re setting their sights on Capitol Hill and operating for workplace.
Although they might not have a standard political background, most have expertise with being within the public eye and will profit from having some identify recognition. The 2026 hopefuls have loads of predecessors, together with Democratic Sen. Invoice Bradley, a basketball Corridor of Famer who performed for the New York Knicks and represented New Jersey within the higher chamber, and GOP Sen. Jim Bunning, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Corridor of Famer who represented Kentucky within the Home and Senate.
At the moment, GOP Rep. Burgess Owens, a former New York Jets and Oakland Raiders security, represents Utah within the Home, and former Auburn College soccer coach Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican, represents Alabama within the Senate, though he’s retiring to run for governor. The Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Gonzalez, additionally a Republican, represented Ohio within the Home till 2023.
A profitable profession in sports activities doesn’t assure victory on the poll field, although. Lately, quite a few athletes who sought elected workplace have fallen brief, together with former NBA participant Royce White, who misplaced a race to unseat Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in Minnesota.
Former Dodgers star Steve Garvey misplaced a Senate bid to Adam Schiff in California. NFL participant Herschel Walker ran for a Senate seat in Georgia however misplaced to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. President Trump nominated Walker to be ambassador to the Bahamas, however he has not but been confirmed by the Senate. And former Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, who performed within the NFL, fell brief towards Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Allred has launched one other Senate bid this cycle, taking up Sen. John Cornyn.
Right here’s what to know concerning the newest athletes and coaches trying to enter elected workplace in subsequent yr’s midterm elections:
Mark Teixeira
Former New York Yankees participant Mark Teixeira does a broadcast earlier than a sport between the New York Yankees and the Boston Purple Sox at Fenway Park on Aug. 5, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Adam Glanzman / Getty Photographs
Former Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, 45, introduced final month that he’s operating to symbolize Texas within the Home, in search of the seat held by GOP Rep. Chip Roy, who introduced a bid for Texas lawyer basic.
Teixeira’s 14-season MLB profession took him from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees, with whom he gained a World Collection in 2009. In asserting his bid to symbolize Texas within the Home, Teixeira touted being a “lifelong conservative who loves this country,” saying he’s “running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great.”
“It takes teamwork to win — I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty,” he added.
Teixeira’s marketing campaign has leaned into his profile as an expert athlete, saying in Congress, “he’ll bring the same grit, preparation, and competitive spirit that made him a champion in Major League Baseball to fight for Texas — and win.”
Derek Dooley
Former soccer coach and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Derek Dooley speaks to supporters of President Donald Trump at an occasion hosted by Vice President JD Vance on Aug. 21, 2025, in Peachtree Metropolis, Georgia.
Megan Varner / Getty Photographs
Former school soccer coach Derek Dooley is operating to symbolize Georgia within the Senate. He entered the crowded GOP contest in August, as Republicans look to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
Dooley, the son of College of Georgia Coach Vince Dooley, has a regulation diploma from the College of Georgia and labored as an lawyer earlier than occurring to educate soccer at Louisiana Tech and the College of Tennessee.
In his announcement video, Dooley, 57, stated “one of the great milestones for me as a kid” was when he was sufficiently old to affix his father on the sidelines throughout Georgia soccer video games. And he leaned on his three many years of teaching at varied ranges, saying he’d frolicked with folks “from all walks of life,” and “the only thing that mattered was trying to create hope and opportunity for them and that family — that’s leadership.”
“We need new leadership in Georgia, that’s why I’m running for Senate,” he stated, whereas pledging to work with Mr. Trump.
Jay Feely
Jay Feely at Tremendous Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gail Schulman/CBS by way of Getty Photographs
Former NFL kicker Jay Feely introduced in April that he’s operating to symbolize Arizona within the Home, in search of to switch GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, who’s operating for governor.
Feely, 49, performed for six groups throughout his 14-year profession, and later labored as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports activities. His marketing campaign web site performs up his time as an expert athlete, with the slogan, “tough on the field, tougher in Washington.”
The previous kicker has billed himself as a “staunch supporter of President Trump and the America First Agenda” — from border safety to defending girls from “radical gender ideology” in sports activities. And he’s cited the July 2024 assassination try towards Mr. Trump as his inspiration for in search of public workplace.
