theathleticuk
Across the nation, a handful of one-time sports stars swapped playbooks for policy manuals, launching campaigns in Tuesday's midterm elections where their athletic backgrounds—whether as players, coaches, or commentators—formed a central part of their appeal to voters.
Seven prominent former sports figures were tracked to see how they performed at the ballot box.
The first definitive outcome emerged from Texas, where former NFL player Colin Allred was projected to return to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Further updates on the remaining six candidates will be provided as results are confirmed.
Allred Secures Return to Congress in Texas
Colin Allred, a Democrat and former NFL linebacker, will once again represent Texas's 33rd Congressional District in the U.S. House. He defeated Republican Patrick Gillespie, a technical writer, in a district encompassing Dallas that heavily favors Democrats. By 9 p.m. ET, when The New York Times and The Associated Press called the race, Allred had garnered 120,581 votes, or 80.6 percent.
Allred played four seasons for the Tennessee Titans before retiring due to a neck injury in 2010. Prior to his initial election to Congress in 2018, he worked as a civil rights lawyer and served three consecutive terms. He mounted an unsuccessful Senate bid against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in 2024 and launched another run for the Democratic Senate nomination in 2025, though he withdrew before the primary.
Turek in High-Profile Senate Race in Iowa
With polling showing a tight contest and the possibility that this election could determine Senate control, the Iowa race has become one of the most expensive and closely watched of the cycle. Josh Turek, a Democrat, is challenging Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a former local television anchor endorsed by President Donald Trump. According to NBC, Democrats have not won a Senate seat in Iowa since 2008.
Turek is a four-time Paralympian and two-time gold medalist in wheelchair basketball. Born with spina bifida after his father was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, he has used a wheelchair since childhood. In 2022, he narrowly won election to the Iowa House of Representatives, representing Council Bluffs. Running as a self-described prairie populist, he has focused on policies aimed at aiding the middle class and has been endorsed by former President Barack Obama.
Teixeira Seeks Congressional Seat in Texas
Republican and former MLB player Mark Teixeira is running against Democrat Kristin Hook to succeed Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who unsuccessfully ran for Texas attorney general. The district, which includes north San Antonio and southwest Austin, has elected a Republican to Congress in every election since 1978. Teixeira secured Trump's endorsement and emerged victorious from a 12-candidate Republican primary earlier this year.
Teixeira spent 14 seasons in the major leagues, playing for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Angels. The first baseman won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009 and appeared in three All-Star Games. After retiring in 2016, he worked as a baseball analyst for ESPN until 2021.
Tuberville Aims for Alabama Governor's Mansion
Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, a former college football coach, is seeking to become the state's next governor. He faces Democrat Doug Jones, a civil rights lawyer and former senator. The race is a rematch of 2020, when Tuberville defeated the incumbent Jones for his Senate seat. Alabama has not had a Democratic governor since 2003.
Tuberville coached for 21 years at Auburn, Mississippi, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati. In the Senate, he has closely aligned himself with Trump, voting to overturn the 2020 election results, blocking military promotions under the Biden administration, and campaigning on anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Tafoya Runs for Minnesota Senate Seat
Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, is facing Democrat Peggy Flanagan, the state's lieutenant governor, in the race for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. Tafoya's long broadcasting career included stints at CBS, ABC, and NBC, culminating with her role as a sideline reporter for NBC's Sunday Night Football. She left the network in 2022 to pursue political commentary, launching a podcast and a Substack.
A first-time candidate, Tafoya has positioned herself as a moderate, receiving Trump's endorsement but balancing support for him with the need to appeal to a state that has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1976.
Feely Competing for Arizona Congressional Seat
Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker, is running for U.S. Congress in Arizona against Dr. Amish Shah, a Democrat who also has a sports background as a former team physician for the New York Jets. Feely spent 14 years in the NFL, playing for the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Chicago Bears. He made five playoff appearances and worked as an analyst and reporter for CBS after retirement until 2025, when he left to run for office. Feely received Trump's endorsement in a competitive district.
Kluwe Vies for California Assembly Seat
Democrat Chris Kluwe, a former NFL punter, is in a race against Republican Gracey Van Der Mark, a Huntington Beach city councilwoman, for California's 72nd Assembly District seat. Kluwe spent eight years playing for the Minnesota Vikings. As an athlete, he was known for his outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ rights, a stance he believes ended his NFL career prematurely; after Minnesota released him in 2013, he never received another NFL offer.
He launched his campaign in 2025 after being arrested at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting for protesting the council's decision to place a MAGA plaque outside a library. The high-profile arrest led to him losing his job as a high school football coach and sparked his political career, becoming a speaker at Orange County political events before running for office.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.