Done with pro sports, some ex-athletes look to political office

Ex-sports pros in races for political office

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. — Ex-NBA player Chris Dudley once battled the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson. Now he’s in a different kind of contest.

The 45-year-old Republican wants to become Oregon’s next governor. He’s raised more money than any other gubernatorial candidate and is showing well in the field of Republicans.

Political insiders say name recognition could be enough to lift Dudley into a general election race against former Gov. John Kitzhaber or former secretary of state Bill Bradbury.

Other ex-pro athletes running for office this year include NFL players Jon Runyan in New Jersey and Clint Didier in Washington state, and former NBA center Shawn Bradley in Utah.