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Meet the sports figures on 2026 Election Day ballots, from Jay Feely to Michele Tafoya
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- Meet the sports figures on 2026 Election Day ballots, from Jay Feely to Michele Tafoya
Meet the sports figures on 2026 Election Day ballots, from Jay Feely to Michele Tafoya originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
November has arrived, meaning it's time for midterm elections across the United States.
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And if you're a sports fan, you may know a few names appearing on ballots.
Four sports figures are among those running for Congress this year, including a former NFL kicker, former NFL sideline reporter, former New York Yankees slugger and former NFL punter.
With their sports careers in the rearview mirror, these individuals have taken the political space, even reportedly receiving donations from former colleagues in the sports world.
Here's what to know about each of the sports-related names appearing on 2026 Election Day ballots.
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Jay Feely
Joe Rondone-USA Today Network
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Jay Feely
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Running for:Arizona's 1st Congressional District
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Party:Republican
Former NFL kicker and broadcaster Jay Feely is running in Arizona's 1st Congressional District against Democrat Amish Shah — and the two have a rather interesting past connection. Feely kicked in the NFL for 14 years, including a stint with the Jets. During that time, the Jets' team doctor was Shah. Now, the two are vying to replace David Schweikert, who left his seat in Arizona's 1st Congressional District.
Feely went undrafted out of Michigan in 1999, kicked in the Arena Football League, then landed with the Falcons in 2001 and caught on as an NFL kicker, including an All-Rookie selection. He went on to play for the Giants, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals and Bears, connecting on 332 field goals over 14 seasons.
After his playing career, Feely became a sports broadcaster, joining CBS Sports in 2015 as a color commentator for college football and the NFL. He remained in that role until 2025, when he announced intentions to launch his congressional bid.
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Feely originally announced he would be running for Arizona's 5th Congressional District, but later changed to the 1st Congressional District. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump in the Republican primary, advancing to the general election.
Feely's campaign states he is running to "fight for border security, protect our freedoms, and put America First."
According to Front Office Sports, among current and former head coaches who have donated to Feely's campaign are John Harbaugh, Bruce Arians, Tom Coughlin and Kevin O'Connell, who was a backup quarterback on the 2009 Jets when both Feely and Shah were with the team as well.
Owners who reportedly donated to Feely's campaign include Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Additionally, per Front Office Sports, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell donated $7,000 to Feely.
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Others who donated to Feely's campaign, according to Front Office Sports, include CBS broadcasters Jim Nantz and Kevin Harlan, former NBA star and now-analyst Charles Barkley, and golfers Tony Finau and Fred Couples.
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Michele Tafoya
Kirby Lee-USA Today
Michele Tafoya
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Running for:Senate in Minnesota
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Party:Republican
Former NBC and ESPN sideline reporter Michele Tafoya is running for Senate in Minnesota against Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Among those whom Tafoya won the Republican nomination in primaries over was former NBA player Royce White.
Early in her career as a sports journalist and broadcaster, Tafoya covered Minnesota sports for local radio and TV stations. She joined CBS Sports in 1994, covering college basketball, college football, tennis, the NFL and more. In 2000, she joined ABC Sports and ESPN as a sideline reporter on "Monday Night Football," also covering the NBA, college basketball and college football. Perhaps most notably, she joined NBC Sports in 2011 as the network's "Sunday Night Football" sideline reporter, a role she held for around a decade.
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After leaving NBC Sports, Tafoya began a political career by becoming a co-chair of Republican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls' campaign in 2022. In January, she announced her candidacy for the Senate race in Minnesota as a Republican. She received Trump's endorsement in October.
Tafoya's campaign states it focuses on "a nationwide anti-fraud agenda," funding for law enforcement and pushing Congress to "spend less, borrow less and tax less."
According to Front Office Sports , Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, Wild owner Craig Leipold, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, "Sunday Night Football"rules analyst Terry McAulay and NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton are among those who have donated to Tafoya's campaign.
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Mark Teixeira
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Running for:Texas' 21st Congressional District
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Party:Republican
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Former Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who also spent time with the Rangers, Braves and Angels over his 14-year MLB career, is running in Texas's 21st Congressional District against Democratic candidate Kristin Hook.
Teixeira, 46, went from a top-5 MLB draft selection in 2001 to the Rangers, to a top slugger for over a decade. He hit 409 home runs as a switch hitter, signing with the Yankees in 2008 and remaining with the team for the remainder of his career until retiring in 2016. He won the 2009 World Series with New York and was a 3-time All-Star, 5-time Gold Glove winner and 3-time Silver Slugger winner.
After retiring, Teixeira spent a few years (2017-21) with ESPN as an analyst. In 2025, he announced he would be running for Texas' 21st Congressional District as a Republican after incumbent Representative Chip Roy announced his retirement. Trump endorsed Teixeira in February, and the former baseball player won the Republican primary.
Teixeira's campaign states it focuses on border security, growing the economy and protecting families, aiming to "advance conservative priorities, and work to keep Texas strong and free."
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According to Front Office Sports , among those who have donated to Teixeira's campaign are Rangers owner Ray Davis, Athletics owner John Fisher, and the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball PAC, which 24 of 30 MLB owners donated to.
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Chris Kluwe
Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today
Chris Kluwe
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Running for:California State Assembly
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Party:Democrat
Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe is running for California State Assembly against Republican candidate Gracey Van Der Mark.
Kluwe, 44, played high school and college football in California, becoming one of the nation's top punters at UCLA. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2004, his senior season, before signing with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
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The punter wound up landing with the Vikings for his rookie season, including an NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honor. He tore his ACL during a game late in the season, but proceeded to kick the final three games of the season through the injury. Over the next seven years, he became one of the best special teams players in Vikings history, leading the franchise in career punt average (44.4), and career punts inside the 20 (198). Kluwe also had a brief stint with the Raiders before his retirement.
During his NFL career, Kluwe became known for his activism surrounding same-sex marriage, and he criticized the Vikings for how they responded to that outspoken support. In 2014, he reached a settlement with the Vikings to resolve allegations of homophobic behavior, avoiding a threatened lawsuit.
After spending time as an author and high school football coach, Kluwe announced in June 2025 that he would be running as a Democrat for the California State Assembly in District 72.
