One of the most high-profile NFL sideline reporters of all-time is running for Senate.
Michele Tafoya, the veteran sports TV personality who covered NFL games and a slew of other events for NBC, ESPN and CBS, is running to succeed Sen. Tina Peters, the Minnesota Democrat who is set to retire.
Tafoya, however, is running as a Republican, and has the full backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, seeking to leverage the anti-ICE protests and fraud investigations into a Senate seat.
“From allowing billions of dollars in fraud to vilifying law enforcement, the Walz-Flanagan administration has failed Minnesotans,” said Sen. Tim Scott, who leads the NRSC, in a statement. “But change is coming, and Michele Tafoya will lead the way. Michele is the only candidate with the common-sense leadership Minnesotans are desperately craving, and her message of safety, opportunity, and prosperity would be a welcome addition to our Senate majority.”
Tafoya called her last NFL game four years ago for NBC at Super Bowl LVI, and immediately questions were raised about her future. As one of the few outspoken conservatives with a high-profile network TV job, there speculation that she could pursue political office, or launch a media career on the political side of the business (she frequently guest-hosted ABC’s The View, filling the conservative seat left empty by Meghan McCain’s exit).
Still, winning in Minnesota will be a challenge, given that the state has a Democratic Governor and a pair of Democratic senators, but Tafoya’s national profile could benefit her in a political environment where attention seems to be the most valuable skill for candidates seeking office.