Politics has frequently included former athletes in its ranks. This year is no different, with three former professional athletes running for Congress in the upcoming election. One of them is Steve Garvey, a Republican nominee in California for Senate, challenging Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Despite Garvey’s impressive career as a baseball player, polls show Schiff leading by a significant margin.
On the other hand, Royce White, a former NBA player, is running for Senate in Minnesota as a Republican against incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). White, known for his fear of flying, has faced criticism for alleged anti-Semitic remarks but still managed to win the primary. Despite his unconventional background, White’s platform includes term limits and election integrity.
Another former athlete, Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver, is running as the GOP nominee for Congress in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Despite not winning any NASCAR races, Theriault has gained traction in the polls against incumbent Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), emphasizing his ability to bring balance and less extremism to Washington.
Overall, former athletes entering politics is not a new phenomenon, and each candidate brings a unique perspective and platform to the race.
Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan, Golden promised to push for improving services for veterans, expanding health care coverage, increasing social security benefits for seniors, growing Maine’s shipbuilding workforce, and securing the border, according to his website.
A number of other former athletes have moved into politics over the years.
Former President Gerald Ford played football at the University of Michigan. John Runyan, who was an NFL offensive lineman, represented New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District between 2011 and 2015. Jack Kemp was an NFL quarterback, most notably for the Buffalo Bills, before serving in Congress for 18 years and being Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Kemp was the late Sen. Bob Dole’s running mate in the 1996 presidential election, which former President Bill Clinton easily won.
