Is Tim Tebow Ready for Politics?
Two weeks ago, when asked about the prospect of running for political office, said he found the idea “intriguing,” and suggested he would like the opportunity to “make a difference someday.”
That “someday” may have already arrived.
Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) announced he was retiring from Congress and not seeking re-election in November. The eight-term congressman represented Florida’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes Tebow’s hometown of Jacksonville, and was on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Crenshaw became the first Republican president of the Florida Senate in a century in 1992. He then ran unsuccessfully in the 1994 Republican gubernatorial primary, losing to former Gov. Jeb Bush. He said Wednesday it was “the right time” to retire from public service.
“The last couple weeks when I was home in Jacksonville, my wife and I talked a lot about what we want to do in the future and what a tremendous privilege it’s been to represent this community where my family’s lived for four generations,” Crenshaw said in a statement. “I thought about some of the accomplishments we’ve been involved in. It seems like the right time to say, ‘We’re going to turn the page on this chapter of my life and see what’s next.’ I’m looking forward to what’s next. It’s a privilege to serve. I’m proud of what we’ve done and been able to accomplish a lot for the constituents as well as our country.”
Should he run to replace Crenshaw, unnamed local Republican Party sources indicated Tebow would be “shoo-in” to win the nomination in August, as well as the general election in November. In fact, one group has reportedly already put together a campaign team that can “hit the ground running,” should he decide to run.
Several big-name Republicans from the Duval County area have signaled their interest in running, but none have the star power and name recognition that Tebow would bring to the race as a former Heisman Trophy winner in a state that loves football. He also has a number of qualities that would make him a prize candidate for the GOP.
Not the least of which is his very publicly displayed Christian faith. The political blog Red Alert Politics explained it like this:
In an elected body with 435 members, it’s almost impossible not to get lost in the crowd and have minimal impact. Tebow would never be lost in the crowd, and this would give him an opportunity to lead on issues he is already leading on in his life: fighting poverty, defending homeschoolers, and making traditional values cool again.
At age 28, he would be the youngest member of Congress, yet he has arguably done more to help children than any current congressperson. Not only has he been a hero and a model of character for millions, he has also used the money he made through football to start the Tim Tebow Foundation, and his foundation is making a real impact, especially in Florida.
If there is any chance Tebow could run, Republicans and the NRCC should actively recruit him and welcome him into the Party. While some might think Tebow could be ‘the next Rick Santorum,’ focusing mostly on social issues, Tebow would bring much more than that.
He would bring a focus on fighting for the less fortunate and using creative solutions to eradicate poverty. He would also bring millennial appeal—and the right kind of millennial appeal. Tebow’s nonpolitical accomplishments allow him to say things politicians couldn’t about culture and character. He would shake up the political establishment and would have no ties to special interests.
His age is also a strength. His time to lead doesn’t need to wait until he is ‘old enough.’ Part of his appeal in Congress would be his ability to lead young Americans—a demographic often ignored in Washington.
It’s time to draft Tim Tebow for Congress.
According to the Washington Examiner, Tebow also has a number of fans inside The Beltway, which could be helpful, should he decide to run and is elected to Congress. The newspaper reports the GOP is already trying to convince him to run.
