Punter Kluwe Runs for Assembly, Challenges Republican District

0:00It's April 6th. From kickoff to the final whistle, this is NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Clua is jumping from the gridiron to California politics. The 44-year-old Democrat launched a bid for Assembly District 72 after getting arrested in February 2025 at A. Huntington Beads City Council meeting. He was protesting a mega-themed plaque outside the library and got a misdemeanor citation for disturbing the piece. That arrest sparked his run, turning him into a sought-after speaker at local events. Clua's activism goes way back to 2012 when he spoke out against the Minnesota ballot measure banning same-sex marriage. He accused his special team's coach of homophobic slurs, leading to the coach's suspension, but the Vikings cut him soon after and he never got. Another NFL gig. Folks in the locker room respected his views even if they disagreed, teaching him about teamwork across divides, something he says America needs now.

1:04He's got backing from Congressman Robert Garcia and focuses on practical fixes, like affordable housing, better public transit, and walkable. Communities to help people live near their jobs. Clua is suing the local school district after losing his high school coaching job, post arrest. He's hitting protests, playing soccer, raising two teens, and gearing up for door-to-door campaigning. As the only Democrat in the four-way race, he eyes advancing from the June 2nd primary jungle format. In a district-leaning Republican for over 30 years, clues the underdog with a punters-long shot odds, but his authentic style might just flip. The field come November.