JON RUNYAN FOR CONGRESS

Former Philadelpia Eagle Jon Runyan exploring run for Congress
By Associated Press
November 12, 2009, 12:19PM
jon runyanView full sizeAP FIle Photo | MATT ROURKEJon Runyan signs a student's shirt in June 2008 at the William Bryant Academic Plus School in Philadelphia. Runyan, a former Philadelphia Eagle, announced he may run for Congress.Jon Runyan hasn't officially retired from the NFL, but he's exploring a new career that could keep him busy next fall: running for Congress.

The popular offensive tackle, who is out of the NFL this season after spending 13 years with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles, said in a statement Wednesday that he's exploring running as a Republican against first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. John Adler.

Runyan said he believes the country is being taken in the wrong direction by career politicians "incapable of solving the problems we face." He said he hopes to decide on a run soon. He did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press at his home today.

The 35-year-old Runyan has not been active in politics. He doesn't have a record as a campaign contributor in New Jersey or federal elections. Adler's 3rd District seat is one Republicans believe they can recapture next year. Adler narrowly won last year, replacing Republican Jim Saxton, who retired after holding the seat for 24 years.

Unlike most of the state's compact congressional districts, this one sprawls into different regions and political cultures, stretching from Democratic-leaning Philadelphia suburbs to a Republican-dominated section of the New Jersey shore. After Saxton retired, there was a bitter Republican primary pitting two of the state's most effective county Republican campaign operations against one another. A candidate from Burlington County defeated one from Ocean County, only to lose to Adler.

There's been talk of another former professional athlete seeking the seat: Former Yankees and Mets pitcher Al Leiter, who grew up in the district, was mentioned as a possible candidate after Saxton announced his retirement.