# List of American sportsperson-politicians

This is a list of American sportsperson-politicians.

## List

| Name | Sport | Background | State | Office(s) | Term | Party |
| Dave Albritton | Track and field | 1936 Olympic high jump medal winner | OH | State Representative | 1961–1972 | Republican |
| Colin Allred | Football | Played for the Tennessee Titans | TX | U.S. Representative | 2019–2025 | Democratic |
| Colin Allred | Football | Played for the Tennessee Titans | TX | Candidate for Senate | 2024 | Democratic |
| Randy Bass | Baseball | Played for the Hanshin Tigers | OK | State Senator | 2005–2019 | Democratic |
| Dave Bing | Basketball | Hall of Fame shooting guard at Syracuse University and three NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons | MI | Mayor of Detroit | 2009–2013 | Democratic |
| Brandon Bochenski | Ice hockey | Played wing for the University of North Dakota and several AHL and NHL teams | ND | Mayor of Grand Forks | 2020–present | Republican |
| Bill Bradley | Basketball | Hall of Fame small forward at Princeton University, 1964 Olympic gold medal team, and the New York Knicks | NJ | U.S. Senator | 1979–1997 | Democratic |
| Bill Bradley | Basketball | Hall of Fame small forward at Princeton University, 1964 Olympic gold medal team, and the New York Knicks | NJ | Candidate for President | 2000 | Democratic |
| Fred H. Brown | Baseball | Outfielder for the Boston Beaneaters | NH | U.S. Attorney | 1914–1922 | Democratic |
| Fred H. Brown | Baseball | Outfielder for the Boston Beaneaters | NH | Governor | 1923–1925 | Democratic |
| Fred H. Brown | Baseball | Outfielder for the Boston Beaneaters | NH | U.S. Senator | 1933–1939 | Democratic |
| Fred H. Brown | Baseball | Outfielder for the Boston Beaneaters | NH | United States Comptroller General | 1939–1940 | Democratic |
| Jim Bunning | Baseball | Hall of Fame pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers | KY | State Senator | 1980–1984 | Republican |
| Jim Bunning | Baseball | Hall of Fame pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers | KY | Nominee for Governor | 1983 | Republican |
| Jim Bunning | Baseball | Hall of Fame pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers | KY | U.S. Representative | 1987–1999 | Republican |
| Jim Bunning | Baseball | Hall of Fame pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers | KY | U.S. Senator | 1999–2011 | Republican |
| Ben Nighthorse Campbell | Judo | Captain of the US team at the 1964 Summer Olympics | CO | State Representative | 1983–1987 | Democratic (before 1995) Republican (1995–present) |
| Ben Nighthorse Campbell | Judo | Captain of the US team at the 1964 Summer Olympics | CO | U.S. Representative | 1987–1993 | Democratic (before 1995) Republican (1995–present) |
| Ben Nighthorse Campbell | Judo | Captain of the US team at the 1964 Summer Olympics | CO | U.S. Senator | 1993–2005 | Democratic (before 1995) Republican (1995–present) |
| Sharice Davids | Mixed martial arts | Fought professionally, 2013–2014 | KS | U.S. Representative | 2018–present | Democratic |
| Terry Dehere | Basketball | Seton Hall University, 1989–93; Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Vancouver Grizzlies, 1993–99 | NJ | Councilor of Jersey City | 2001–2007 | Independent |
| Terry Dehere | Basketball | Seton Hall University, 1989–93; Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Vancouver Grizzlies, 1993–99 | NJ | Member of the Jersey City Board of Education | 2007–present | Independent |
| LaVern Dilweg | Football | Green Bay Packers, 1927–1934 | WI | U.S. Representative | 1943–1945 | Democratic |
| Arne Duncan | Basketball | Played at Harvard University and went on to play in Australia's National Basketball League from 1987 to 1991 | IL | CEO of Chicago Public Schools | 2001–2009 | Democratic |
| Arne Duncan | Basketball | Played at Harvard University and went on to play in Australia's National Basketball League from 1987 to 1991 | IL | U.S. Secretary of Education | 2009–2016 | Democratic |
| Gerald Ford | Football | Center, linebacker, and long snapper for University of Michigan, 1932–1935, assistant varsity football coach for Yale University, 1935–1937, junior varsity head football coach for Yale University, 1938 | MI | U.S. Representative | 1949–1973 | Republican |
| Gerald Ford | Football | Center, linebacker, and long snapper for University of Michigan, 1932–1935, assistant varsity football coach for Yale University, 1935–1937, junior varsity head football coach for Yale University, 1938 | MI | Vice President | 1973–1974 | Republican |
| Gerald Ford | Football | Center, linebacker, and long snapper for University of Michigan, 1932–1935, assistant varsity football coach for Yale University, 1935–1937, junior varsity head football coach for Yale University, 1938 | MI | President | 1974–1977 | Republican |
| Dick Fosbury | Track and Field | 1968 Olympic high jump gold medal winner | ID | Candidate for State Representative | 2014 | Democratic |
| Dick Fosbury | Track and Field | 1968 Olympic high jump gold medal winner | ID | Commissioner of Blaine County | 2019–2023 | Democratic |
| Steve Garvey | Baseball | First baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres | CA | Candidate for Senate | 2024 | Republican |
| Anthony Gonzalez | Football | Ohio State University, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots | OH | U.S. Representative | 2019–2023 | Republican |
| Glenn Jacobs | Professional wrestling | Independent circuit (1992–1995) and in WWE (1995–present), most notably as Kane. Also played football and basketball at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). | TN | Mayor of Knox County | 2018–present | Republican |
| Edward J. King | Football | Guard and Defensive end for the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Colts | MA | Governor of Massachusetts | 1979–1983 | Democratic |
| Fob James | Football | All-American halfback for Auburn University, 1952–1955 and Montreal Alouettes, 1956 | AL | Governor | 1979–1983 | Democratic |
| Fob James | Football | All-American halfback for Auburn University, 1952–1955 and Montreal Alouettes, 1956 | AL | Governor | 1995–1999 | Republican |
| Caitlyn Jenner | Decathlon | 1972 Summer Olympics, 1975 Pan American Games, and 1976 Summer Olympics | CA | Candidate for Governor | 2021 | Republican |
| Kevin Johnson | Basketball | University of California, Berkeley, 1983–1987; Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns, 1987–2000 | CA | Mayor of Sacramento | 2008–2016 | Democratic |
| Walter Johnson | Baseball | Hall of Fame pitcher for the Washington Senators, 1907–27 | MD | Commissioner of Montgomery County | 1938 | Republican |
| Walter Johnson | Baseball | Hall of Fame pitcher for the Washington Senators, 1907–27 | MD | Candidate for U.S. Representative | 1940 | Republican |
| Hayes Jones | Running | Winner of 110m hurdles at the 1964 Summer Olympics | MI | State Representative | 2006 | Democratic |
| Jim Jordan | Wrestling | Two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, 1985–1986, assistant wrestling coach for Ohio State University, 1987–1995 | OH | State Representative | 1995–2000 | Republican |
| Jim Jordan | Wrestling | Two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, 1985–1986, assistant wrestling coach for Ohio State University, 1987–1995 | OH | State Senator | 2001–2006 | Republican |
| Jim Jordan | Wrestling | Two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, 1985–1986, assistant wrestling coach for Ohio State University, 1987–1995 | OH | U.S. Representative | 2007–present | Republican |
| Michelle Kwan | Figure skating | Two-time Olympic medalist (silver in 1998, bronze in 2002), a five-time World champion (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003) and a nine-time U.S. champion (1996, 1998–2005) | CA | U.S. Ambassador to Belize | 2022–2025 | Democratic |
| Jack Kemp | Football | Played quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, 1962–69 | NY | U.S. Representative | 1971–1989 | Republican |
| Jack Kemp | Football | Played quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, 1962–69 | NY | Candidate for President | 1988 | Republican |
| Jack Kemp | Football | Played quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, 1962–69 | NY | U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development | 1989–1993 | Republican |
| Jack Kemp | Football | Played quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, 1962–69 | NY | Nominee for Vice President | 1996 | Republican |
| Steve Largent | Football | Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, 1976–89 | OK | U.S. Representative | 1995–2003 | Republican |
| Steve Largent | Football | Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, 1976–89 | OK | Nominee for Governor | 2002 | Republican |
| Don Lash | Running | Set a world record for the two-mile run in 1936, competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics | IN | State Representative | 1973–1982 | Republican |
| Bob Mathias | Track and field | Decathlon winner at the Summer Olympics in 1948 and 1952 | CA | U.S. Representative | 1967–1975 | Republican |
| Tom McMillen | Basketball | Played for the University of Maryland and the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Bullets | MD | U.S. Representative | 1987–1993 | Democratic |
| Wayne Messam | Football | Wide receiver for Florida State University, and in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, 1997 | FL | City Commissioner of Miramar | 2011–2015 | Democratic |
| Wayne Messam | Football | Wide receiver for Florida State University, and in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, 1997 | FL | Mayor of Miramar | 2015–present | Democratic |
| Wayne Messam | Football | Wide receiver for Florida State University, and in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, 1997 | FL | Candidate for President | 2020 | Democratic |
| Ralph Metcalfe | Running | Medalist at the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics | IL | U.S. Representative | 1971–1978 | Democratic |
| Jack Mildren | Football | Quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots | OK | Lieutenant Governor | 1991–1995 | Democratic |
| Jack Mildren | Football | Quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots | OK | Nominee for Governor | 1994 | Democratic |
| Wilmer Mizell | Baseball | Pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Mets, 1952–62 | NC | U.S. Representative | 1969–1975 | Republican |
| Markwayne Mullin | Mixed martial arts | Fought professionally, 2006–2007 | OK | U.S. Representative | 2013–2023 | Republican |
| Markwayne Mullin | Mixed martial arts | Fought professionally, 2006–2007 | OK | U.S. Senator | 2023–present | Republican |
| William D. Mullins | Baseball | Pitcher in the Washington Senators minor league system | MA | State Representative | 1977–1986 | Democratic |
| Tito Ortiz | Mixed Martial Arts | Ultimate Fighting Championship | CA | Member of the Huntington Beach City Council | 2020–2021 | Republican |
| Tom Osborne | Football | Head football coach for the University of Nebraska, 1973–97; University of Nebraska athletic director, 2007–2013 | NE | U.S. Representative | 2001–2007 | Republican |
| Tom Osborne | Football | Head football coach for the University of Nebraska, 1973–97; University of Nebraska athletic director, 2007–2013 | NE | Candidate for Governor | 2006 | Republican |
| Burgess Owens | Football | Safety for the University of Miami (1970–72), New York Jets (1973–79), and Oakland Raiders (1980–82) | UT | U.S. Representative | 2021–present | Republican |
| Alan Page | Football | Played for University of Notre Dame and the Minnesota Vikings | MN | Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court | 1993–2015 | Independent |
| B.J. Penn | Mixed martial arts | Mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner | HI | Candidate for Governor | 2022 | Republican |
| Jon Runyan Sr. | Football | Offensive tackle for University of Michigan, and in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans (1996–99), Philadelphia Eagles (2000–08), and San Diego Chargers (2009) | NJ | U.S. Representative | 2011–2015 | Republican |
| Ed Rutkowski | Football | Wide receiver and later quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, 1963–68 | NY | Executive of Erie County | 1979–1987 | Republican |
| Ed Rutkowski | Football | Wide receiver and later quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, 1963–68 | NY | Deputy Commissioner of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation | 1995–2006 | Republican |
| Jim Ryun | Running | The last American to hold the world record in the mile run, competitor in the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Summer Olympics, first high schooler to break the four-minute mile | KS | U.S. Representative | 1996–2007 | Republican |
| Jim Schwantz | Football | Linebacker for Purdue University, and in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers | IL | Mayor of Palatine | 2009–present | Independent |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger | Bodybuilding | Mr. Olympia from 1970 to 1973 | CA | Governor | 2003–2011 | Republican |
| Pius Schwert | Baseball | Catcher for the Penn Quakers and New York Yankees | NY | Clerk of Erie County | 1934–1938 | Democratic |
| Pius Schwert | Baseball | Catcher for the Penn Quakers and New York Yankees | NY | U.S. Representative | 1939–1941 | Democratic |
| Heath Shuler | Football | Played for the University of Tennessee and the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders | NC | U.S. Representative | 2007–2013 | Democratic |
| John K. Tener | Baseball | Played for the Orioles in 1885, Chicago White Stockings from 1888 to 1889, and the Pittsburgh Burghers for the 1890 season. | PA | U.S. Representative | 1909–1911 | Republican |
| John K. Tener | Baseball | Played for the Orioles in 1885, Chicago White Stockings from 1888 to 1889, and the Pittsburgh Burghers for the 1890 season. | PA | Governor | 1911–1915 | Republican |
| Jim Thomas | Tennis | Highest ATP world singles ranking was number 288 | OH | State Representative | 2023–present | Republican |
| Jim Tressel | Football | Played for Baldwin Wallace University; assistant coach at University of Akron, Miami University, Syracuse University, and the Ohio State University; head coach at Youngstown State University and the Ohio State University | OH | Lieutenant Governor of Ohio | 2025–present | Republican |
| Tommy Tuberville | Football | Played for Southern Arkansas University; assistant coach at Arkansas State University, the University of Miami, and Texas A&M University; head coach at the University of Mississippi, Auburn University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Cincinnati | AL | U.S. Senator | 2021–present | Republican |
| Scott Turner | Football | Played for the Washington Commanders, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos | TX | Member of the Texas House of Representatives | 2013–2017 | Republican |
| Scott Turner | Football | Played for the Washington Commanders, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos | TX | U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development | 2025–present | Republican |
| Mo Udall | Basketball | Played for the University of Arizona, and later with the Denver Nuggets for one year | AZ | U.S. Representative | 1961–1991 | Democratic |
| Jesse Ventura | Professional wrestling | American Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation | MN | Mayor of Brooklyn Park | 1991–1995 | Independence |
| Jesse Ventura | Professional wrestling | American Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation | MN | Governor | 1999–2003 | Independence |
| Herschel Walker | Football | National Football League | GA | Candidate for U.S. Senator | 2021-22 | Republican |
| J. C. Watts | Football | Played for University of Oklahoma and the Ottawa Rough Riders | OK | U.S. Representative | 1995–2003 | Republican |
| Byron White | Football | Played for NFL teams Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers during 1938 and 1941 | CO | U.S. Deputy Attorney General | 1961–1962 | Democratic |
| Byron White | Football | Played for NFL teams Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers during 1938 and 1941 | CO | Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court | 1962–1993 | Democratic |
| Frank White | Baseball | World Series champion who played for the Kansas City Royals for 18 years. | MO | Member of the Jackson County Legislature | 2014–2016 | Democratic |
| Frank White | Baseball | World Series champion who played for the Kansas City Royals for 18 years. | MO | Executive of Jackson County | 2016–present | Democratic |
| Royce White | Basketball | Played in the NBA, Basketball Super League, and Big3. | MN | Candidate for Senate | 2024 | Republican |
| Dwayne Woodruff | Football | Cornerback with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1979–1990) | PA | Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas | 2005–present | Independent |