Mockery abounded on Wednesday after a former NFL sideline reporter who is running for U.S. Senate released her first campaign ad.
Michele Tafoya, who reported from NFL sidelines on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” until 2022, announced this week that she is running for Senate as a Republican in Minnesota, a state that has come under increased scrutiny over social services fraud. Tafoya is running to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), and is expected to face a hotly contested primary.
In the ad, Tafoya ties her experience covering NFL games to leadership, arguing that “when leaders are prepared and accountable, teams succeed.”
Political analysts and observers reacted to the ad online.
“I interviewed football coaches for 15 seconds as they ran in for halftime, so let me write your laws,” Chris Harris, vice president of communications for gun violence advocacy organization Giffords, posted on X.
“What is it about broadcast TV that creates these high profile dog s— candidates?” andy Barr, managing director of Uplift Tweets, posted on X.
“This is the funniest argument for why someone is qualified for a job I’ve ever seen,” MS NOW host Chris Hayes posted on X.
For years, I walked the sidelines when the stakes were the highest, and that job taught me how leadership really works. I’m running for U.S. Senate to bring that experience to Washington and deliver the real results Minnesota deserves. pic.twitter.com/vDbHWpAXg9 — Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) January 21, 2026
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