Former Athletes Joined GOP Midterm Campaign Rallies
Republican candidates have recruited retired sports stars to help energize voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Football
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GOP candidates and President Donald Trump have engaged professional athletes to bolster support during a challenging midterm election cycle. High-profile figures have appeared at rallies and stumped for candidates as the party seeks to capture younger and male voter demographics.
Why it matters
The party is utilizing the popularity of former athletes to boost voter engagement and morale amid forecasts of sweeping losses for Republican candidates in the upcoming November 3 elections. These appearances are designed to shore up critical support in key competitive races.
First-time athlete candidates have maintained a 70 percent win rate, with 58 percent of all athlete candidates identifying as Republicans. Current data indicates Jay Feely is trailing his opponent by a single-digit percentage, while Michele Tafoya trails by more than 5 points.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States who has utilized his public appearances at sporting events to align with professional athletes.
Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira is a former professional athlete who is currently running for the U.S. House in Texas's 21st Congressional District.
Jay Feely
Jay Feely is a former professional athlete campaigning for a seat in the U.S. House for Arizona's 1st Congressional District.
Michele Tafoya
Michele Tafoya is a former sports broadcaster currently running for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota.
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka was the former head coach of the Chicago Bears who died at the age of 86.
The details
Candidates including Mark Teixeira in Texas and Jay Feely in Arizona have relied on sports figures to generate enthusiasm at campaign events. Meanwhile, the political landscape continues to evolve as Congress debates new tax treatment for publicly traded sports teams and the NFL challenges state-regulated prediction markets.
Timeline
Mike Ditka died at age 86 on Friday, October 9, 2026.
President Trump announced a Medal of Freedom for Roger Clemens last week.
Midterm Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This cycle extends the historical pattern of athlete-run political campaigns observed between 1936 and 2023. These candidates are now testing whether their professional sports legacies can translate into victory during a difficult election season for the party.
With Jay Feely and Michele Tafoya trailing their respective opponents by significant margins, these races remain key indicators for party control in the House and Senate. The outcome of these contests will dictate the momentum for upcoming legislative efforts like the bipartisan sports tax bill.
The takeaway
The active participation of professional athletes in current midterm campaigns highlights the continued attempt to use star power to influence voter turnout in tight races. Voters should look beyond these high-profile endorsements to evaluate the specific legislative policies proposed by each candidate.
What happens next
A Senate vote on the bipartisan tax bill regarding publicly traded sports teams is expected to take place following the November 3 midterm elections.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of sports and national politics, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hill.
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