Runyan to Do NFL, Then Run for Congress

A correction on my assumption from an earlier post via Politico.

Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jon Runyan confirmed tonight that he’s running against Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.), but before he launches his political career, he’s returning to the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers.

Runyan, who had been out of football for the 2009 season, signed a one-year contract this evening with the Chargers, where he will play for the remainder of the year,

“Win or lose, these will be my final games as an NFL player. Last night, I personally informed the Republican County Chairmen in NJ's 3rd Congressional District that after the season is over I plan to officially retire from football and pursue a campaign for the United States Congress,” Runyan said in a statement.

“I want to thank all of the people who have been encouraging me to run next year and let them know that I look forward to a successful end to my career on the field, and a spirited campaign against Congressman Adler in 2010."

Runyan looks like the early GOP favorite, winning support from Burlington County Republican leaders, but he's never been involved in politics until he expressed interest in the race. And now that he’s playing football and won’t be able to prepare for a campaign until season’s end, other Republicans may look to challenge him in the primary.

There's only about six games left in the current NFL season, so Runyan's biggest concern will be a possible of lack of fund raising for his candidacy.  The current Cook Political Report lists NJ-03 as a "Likely Democratic" with a Presidential Voting Index of R+1.