This is a list of American sportsperson-politicians.
List NameSportBackgroundStateOffice(s)TermPartyTrack and field1936 Olympic high jump medal winnerOHState Representative1961–1972RepublicanFootballPlayed for the Tennessee TitansTXU.S. Representative2019–2025DemocraticCandidate for U.S. Senate2024, 2026Alan AutryFootballPlayed quarterback for the Green Bay Packers (As Carlos Brown)CAMayor of Fresno2001–2009RepublicanVic BacklundBaseballPlayed for the Los Angeles DodgersORState Representative1999–2005RepublicanBaseballPlayed for five MLB teams from 1977–1982, won the Nippon Professional Baseball Most Valuable Player Award for the Hanshin Tigers in 1985OKState Senator2005–2019DemocraticBasketballHall of Fame shooting guard at Syracuse University and three NBA teams, including the Detroit PistonsMIMayor of Detroit2009–2013DemocraticIce hockeyPlayed wing for the University of North Dakota and several AHL and NHL teamsNDMayor of Grand Forks2020–presentRepublicanBasketballHall of Fame small forward at Princeton University, 1964 Olympic gold medal team, and the New York KnicksNJU.S. Senator1979–1997DemocraticCandidate for President2000BaseballOutfielder for the Boston BeaneatersNHU.S. Attorney1914–1922DemocraticGovernor of New Hampshire1923–1925U.S. Senator1933–1939United States Comptroller General1939–1940FootballPlayed college football for the Illinois Fighting IlliniILMember of the Illinois House of Representatives2019–presentDemocratic Speaker pro tempore of the Illinois House of Representatives2025–present Candidate for Mayor of Chicago2023BaseballHall of Fame pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles DodgersKYState Senator1980–1984RepublicanNominee for Governor1983U.S. Representative1987–1999U.S. Senator1999–2011JudoCaptain of the US team at the 1964 Summer OlympicsCOState Representative1983–1987Democratic (before 1995)Republican (1995–present)U.S. Representative1987–1993U.S. Senator1993–2005FoobCollege player and college coach for the Washington HuskiesWALieutenant Governor of Washington1957–1989DemocraticMixed martial artsFought professionally, 2013–2014KSU.S. Representative2018–presentDemocraticBasketballSeton Hall University, 1989–93; Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Vancouver Grizzlies, 1993–99NJCouncilor of Jersey City2001–2007IndependentMember of the Jersey City Board of Education2007–presentFootballGreen Bay Packers, 1927–1934WIU.S. Representative1943–1945DemocraticFootballPlayed for the Virginia Cavaliers, later head coach of the Tennessee VolunteersGACandidate for U.S. Senate2026RepublicanBasketballPlayed at Harvard University and went on to play in Australia's National Basketball League from 1987 to 1991ILCEO of Chicago Public Schools2001–2009DemocraticU.S. Secretary of Education2009–2016BaseballPlayed at Georgia Tech and went on to be drafted by the Florida Marlins and play in their farm system from 1996–2000GAState Representative2013–2017RepublicanLieutenant Governor2019–2023Candidate for Governor of Georgia2026DemocraticFootballCollegiate and professional placekicker for University of Michigan and seven NFL teams, including the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona CardinalsAZCandidate for U.S. House of Representatives2026RepublicanBasketballProfessional and collegiate men's basketball player MAMember of the Massachusetts House of Representatives1971–1975 and 1975–1978DemocraticBoston City Councilor1978–1984Mayor of Boston1984–1993United States Ambassador to the Holy See1993–1997Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives1998FootballCenter, 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, 1938MIU.S. Representative1949–1973RepublicanVice President1973–1974President1974–1977Track and field1968 Olympic high jump gold medal winnerID Candidate for State Representative2014DemocraticBlaine County Commissioner2019–2023BaseballFirst baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego PadresCACandidate for U.S. Senate2024RepublicanFootballCollegiate and professional linebacker, played for Northwestern and four NFL teamsILMember of the Illinois Senate2013–presentDemocraticSupervisor of Thornton Township2025–presentBasketballProfessional and collegiate women's basketball player MAAttorney General of Massachusetts2015–2023DemocraticGovernor of Massachusetts2023–presentFootballOhio State University, Indianapolis Colts and New England PatriotsOHU.S. Representative2019–2023RepublicanFootballHalfback for the Illinois Fighting Illini (collegiate) and the Chicago Bears and New York Yankees (NFL); coach for the Chicago Bears (NFL); co-owner of the New York Yankees (NFL)ILMember of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees1951–1955RepublicanProfessional wrestlingIndependent 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).TNMayor of Knox County2018–presentRepublicanFootballGuard and Defensive end for the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore ColtsMAGovernor of Massachusetts1979–1983DemocraticFootballAll-American halfback for Auburn University, 1952–1955 and Montreal Alouettes, 1956ALGovernor of Alabama1979–1983Democratic1995–1999RepublicanCaitlyn JennerDecathlon1972 Summer Olympics, 1975 Pan American Games, and 1976 Summer OlympicsCACandidate for Governor2021RepublicanBasketballUniversity of California, Berkeley, 1983–1987; Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns, 1987–2000CAMayor of Sacramento2008–2016DemocraticBaseballHall of Fame pitcher for the Washington Senators, 1907–27MDCommissioner of Montgomery County1938RepublicanCandidate for U.S. House of Representatives1940RunningWinner of 110m hurdles at the 1964 Summer OlympicsMIState Representative2006DemocraticWrestlingTwo-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, 1985–1986, assistant wrestling coach for Ohio State University, 1987–1995OHState Representative1995–2000RepublicanState Senator2001–2006U.S. Representative2007–present Basketball Played for the Oshkosh All-Stars of the NBAIL General Superintendent of the Chicago Park District 1972–1986DemocraticFootballPlayed quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, 1962–69NYU.S. Representative1971–1989RepublicanCandidate for President1988U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development1989–1993Nominee for Vice President1996Chris KluweFootballPlayed punter for the Minnesota Vikings, 2005-2012CACandidate for California State Assembly2026DemocraticMichelle KwanFigure skatingTwo-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)CAU.S. Ambassador to Belize2022–2025DemocraticFootballHall of Fame wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, 1976–89OKU.S. Representative1995–2003RepublicanNominee for Governor2002RunningSet a world record for the two-mile run in 1936, competed in the 1936 Summer OlympicsINState Representative1973–1982RepublicanFootballPlayed college football for Ohio State, drafted into the NFL by the Buffalo BillsOHMayor of Columbus1992–2000RepublicanFootballHalfback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (college) and Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)ILNominee for Cook County Board of Commissioners1986DemocraticTrack and fieldDecathlon winner at the Summer Olympics in 1948 and 1952CAU.S. Representative1967–1975RepublicanBasketballPlayed for the University of Maryland and the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington BulletsMDU.S. Representative1987–1993DemocraticFootballWide receiver for Florida State University, and in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, 1997FLCity Commissioner of Miramar2011–2015DemocraticMayor of Miramar2015–presentCandidate for President2020RunningMedalist at the 1932 and 1936 Summer OlympicsILU.S. Representative1971–1978DemocraticFootballQuarterback at the University of Oklahoma and with the Baltimore Colts and New England PatriotsOKLieutenant Governor1991–1995DemocraticNominee for Governor1994BaseballPitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Mets, 1952–62NCU.S. Representative1969–1975RepublicanMixed martial artsFought professionally, 2006–2007OKU.S. Representative2013–2023RepublicanU.S. Senator2023–2026U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security2026–presentBaseballPitcher in the Washington Senators minor league systemMAState Representative1977–1986DemocraticTito OrtizMixed martial artsUltimate Fighting ChampionshipCAMember of the Huntington Beach City Council2020–2021RepublicanFootballHead football coach for the University of Nebraska, 1973–97; University of Nebraska athletic director, 2007–2013NEU.S. Representative2001–2007RepublicanCandidate for Governor2006FootballSafety for the University of Miami (1970–72), New York Jets (1973–79), and Oakland Raiders (1980–82)UTU.S. Representative2021–presentRepublicanFootballHead coach at Jackson State University and Texas Southern UniversityMSU.S. Secretary of Education2001–2005 RepublicanFootballPlayed for University of Notre Dame and the Minnesota VikingsMNAssociate Justice of the State Supreme Court1993–2015IndependentB.J. PennMixed martial artsMixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitionerHICandidate for Governor2022RepublicanFootballCollegiate quarterback and halfback for the Illinois Fighting IlliniIL Member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees1935–1941 and 1959–1969Democratic President of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees 1940–1941 Member of the Decatur City Council 1959–1963Tom PridemoreFootballPlayed for Atlanta FalconsWVDelegate in the West Virginia House of Delegates1981–1983DemocratFootballOffensive tackle for University of Michigan, and in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans (1996–99), Philadelphia Eagles (2000–08), and San Diego Chargers (2009)NJU.S. Representative2011–2015RepublicanFootballWide receiver and later quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, 1963–68NYExecutive of Erie County1979–1987RepublicanDeputy Commissioner of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation1995–2006RunningThe 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 mileKSU.S. Representative1996–2007RepublicanFootballLinebacker for Purdue University, and in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ersILMayor of Palatine2009–presentIndependentBodybuildingMr. Olympia from 1970 to 1973CAGovernor2003–2011RepublicanBaseballCatcher for the Penn Quakers and New York YankeesNYClerk of Erie County1934–1938DemocraticU.S. Representative1939–1941BaseballPitcher for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball IAMember of the Iowa Senate2023–presentDemocratic Nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives 2018 and 2022 Candidate for the U.S. Senate 2026FootballPlayed for the University of Tennessee and the New Orleans Saints and Oakland RaidersNCU.S. Representative2007–2013DemocraticFootballPlayed for Fresno StateCAState Assemblyman2024–presentRepublicanBaseballThree-time MLB All-Star, played for four teams including the Texas Rangers and New York YankeesTXNominee for U.S. House of Representatives2026RepublicanBaseballPlayed for the Orioles in 1885, Chicago White Stockings from 1888 to 1889, and the Pittsburgh Burghers for the 1890 season.PAU.S. Representative1909–1911RepublicanGovernor1911–1915TennisHighest ATP world singles ranking was number 288OHState Representative2023–presentRepublican FootballNFL kickerILJudge of the circuit court of DuPage County1988–1994RepublicanChief judge of the circuit court of DuPage County1989–1994Judge of the 2nd district of the Illinois Appellate Court1994–2000Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court2000–2020Chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court2005–2008Football and water poloCaptained the Chicago Athletic Association's teamsILMember of the