Athletes, Coaches Running for Congress in 2026
Multiple former professional athletes and coaches are launching campaigns for federal office in the 2026 midterms. Former New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira announced a run for a Texas House seat being vacated by Rep. Chip Roy, and former college coach Derek Dooley entered the Republican Senate primary in Georgia to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff; the piece catalogs other sports figures who have sought or held federal office and notes campaign themes and name recognition advantages.
Politics
Elections
📰 Sources (1)
The athletes and coaches running for Congress in 2026
New information:
- Mark Teixeira (former MLB first baseman, age 45) announced a run for a U.S. House seat in Texas being vacated by GOP Rep. Chip Roy, touting support for President Trump’s 'America First' agenda.
- Derek Dooley (former college football coach, age 57) entered the crowded Republican primary for the Georgia U.S. Senate race in August 2025, aiming to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
- The article places these 2026 bids in historical context with past athlete-politicians (e.g., Sen. Bill Bradley, Sen. Jim Bunning, Rep. Burgess Owens) and notes that athletic fame does not guarantee electoral success.