Celebs Turned Politicians

Get a list of celebs/athletes who’ve run for office – and won!

Lynn Swann Former Political Candidate - Retired NFL Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Lynn Swann ran for governor of Pennsylvania as a Republican in 2006. He lost to incumbent Ed Rendell, but had he won, he would have been the state’s first Black governor. In 2008, he pondered a run for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent the state’s 4th congressional district, but didn’t end up filing papers.

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Lynn Swann Former Political Candidate - Retired NFL Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Lynn Swann ran for governor of Pennsylvania as a Republican in 2006. He lost to incumbent Ed Rendell, but had he won, he would have been the state’s first Black governor. In 2008, he pondered a run for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent the state’s 4th congressional district, but didn’t end up filing papers.

Kevin Johnson Mayor of Sacramento Calif. - Retired NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson was elected as Sacramento, Calif.’s first African-American mayor in 2008. Johnson, born and raised in Sacramento, spent most of his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns.

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Kevin Johnson Mayor of Sacramento Calif. - Retired NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson was elected as Sacramento, Calif.’s first African-American mayor in 2008. Johnson, born and raised in Sacramento, spent most of his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gov. of California - Former “Terminator” star and award-winning body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California in 2003, following a recall election that ousted former Gov. Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger, a longtime Republican, was re-elected to office in 2006.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gov. of California - Former “Terminator” star and award-winning body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California in 2003, following a recall election that ousted former Gov. Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger, a longtime Republican, was re-elected to office in 2006.

J.C. Watts Former U.S. Representative - Former college football standout J.C. Watts, a Republican, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-2003 representing his home state of Oklahoma’s 4th congressional district. As a QB, Watts led the Oklahoma Sooners to two back-to-back Orange Bowl victories in 1979 and 1980. After leaving Congress, he’s worked as a political commentator and announced in 2008 that he’s developing a cable network.

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J.C. Watts Former U.S. Representative - Former college football standout J.C. Watts, a Republican, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-2003 representing his home state of Oklahoma’s 4th congressional district. As a QB, Watts led the Oklahoma Sooners to two back-to-back Orange Bowl victories in 1979 and 1980. After leaving Congress, he’s worked as a political commentator and announced in 2008 that he’s developing a cable network.

Jerry Butler, Commissioner for Cook County, Ill. - Butler, a popular soul singer in the 1960s-70s and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, was elected Commissioner for Cook County, Ill., in 1985 and has held the position ever since. As part of the county’s board, he chairs the Health and Hospitals Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Construction Committee. He still performs and has hosted a few PBS music specials in recent years.

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Jerry Butler, Commissioner for Cook County, Ill. - Butler, a popular soul singer in the 1960s-70s and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, was elected Commissioner for Cook County, Ill., in 1985 and has held the position ever since. As part of the county’s board, he chairs the Health and Hospitals Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Construction Committee. He still performs and has hosted a few PBS music specials in recent years.

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Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Former Minnesota Gov. - James Janos, former wrestling superstar much better known by his stage name, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, ran as an Independent in 1998 and was elected governor of Minnesota. He didn’t seek re-election after one term, leaving office in 2003. He was inducted into the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Hall of Fame in 2004.

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Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Former Minnesota Gov. - James Janos, former wrestling superstar much better known by his stage name, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, ran as an Independent in 1998 and was elected governor of Minnesota. He didn’t seek re-election after one term, leaving office in 2003. He was inducted into the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Hall of Fame in 2004.

Bill Bradley Former U.S. Senator - Bradley, an NBA Hall of Famer, served three terms as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey. After leaving the Senate in the 1990s, the Democrat unsuccessfully faced off against Vice President Al Gore in 2000 for the Democratic nomination for President. In recent years, Bradley’s traded in politics for the corporate world, serving as a director on the boards of Starbucks and private company Raydiance.

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Bill Bradley Former U.S. Senator - Bradley, an NBA Hall of Famer, served three terms as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey. After leaving the Senate in the 1990s, the Democrat unsuccessfully faced off against Vice President Al Gore in 2000 for the Democratic nomination for President. In recent years, Bradley’s traded in politics for the corporate world, serving as a director on the boards of Starbucks and private company Raydiance.

Al Franken U.S. Senator (D-MN) - Franken, a former “Saturday Night Live” comedian, started off in the political realm by being a commentator and best-selling author. In 2008, he ran for Senate in Minnesota against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and won by just 312 votes.

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Al Franken U.S. Senator (D-MN) - Franken, a former “Saturday Night Live” comedian, started off in the political realm by being a commentator and best-selling author. In 2008, he ran for Senate in Minnesota against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and won by just 312 votes.

Manny Pacquiao, Congressman in the Philippines - Top rated boxer Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, who holds the title of WBO World Welterweight Champion, took his competitiveness from the ring to politics earlier this year when he was elected to the Philippines’ House of Representatives, representing the Sarangani province. With this win, he became the first active boxer in the nation’s history to become a congressman.

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Manny Pacquiao, Congressman in the Philippines - Top rated boxer Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, who holds the title of WBO World Welterweight Champion, took his competitiveness from the ring to politics earlier this year when he was elected to the Philippines’ House of Representatives, representing the Sarangani province. With this win, he became the first active boxer in the nation’s history to become a congressman.

Ronald Reagan, Former U.S. President - Former President Ronald Reagan started his life in the public eye as a popular actor in films and television. During his career he appeared in 52 films. While a spokesman for General Electric, he was convinced to run for governor of California and served two terms from 1966-1974. He won the presidential election in 1980 and served two consecutive terms.

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Ronald Reagan, Former U.S. President - Former President Ronald Reagan started his life in the public eye as a popular actor in films and television. During his career he appeared in 52 films. While a spokesman for General Electric, he was convinced to run for governor of California and served two terms from 1966-1974. He won the presidential election in 1980 and served two consecutive terms.

Back to School - Music superstar Wyclef Jean wants his degree. In an effort to inspire young people to take education seriously, the former Fugees member will enroll at Berklee College in Boston to pursue his BA in Music. He will also work with Rev. Al Sharpton to encourage young people to attend class.

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Wyclef Presidential Candidate for Haiti - Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean recently announced his plans to run for president of Haiti. Jean, probably best known as a member of the hip-hop group The Fugees, was born in Haiti, but moved to the U.S. as a child. He’s long been active in charity work for his native nation, and played a big role in getting aid following January’s devastating earthquake through his Yéle Haiti Foundation.