A former NFL kicker running against a doctor who once treated his team and a Dallas pastor who spent decades preaching about social justice are among the more unusual House candidates competing for a seat in Congress.
1. Jay Feely, the former NFL kicker, facing his old team doctor, Democrat Amish Shah, an emergency-room physician and former Arizona state legislator, in the state's 1st Congressional District.
Feely spent 14 seasons in the NFL before moving into sports broadcasting. He started in politics without having held elected office and won the Republican nomination in July with the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Shah was a physician for the New York Jets while Feely played for the team in 2008 and 2009.
Feely is campaigning on conservative priorities and support for Trump's agenda, while Shah is promoting his experience in medicine and state government.
2. Richard Pan, a pediatrician taking his vaccine fight to Washington in California's 6th Congressional District
Pan, a former California state senator, has been a vocal supporter of legislation that strengthened childhood vaccination requirements in the state, a stance that drew strong opposition from anti-vaccine activists.
He has been campaigning against the policies of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kevin Kiley, his opponent, is an independent incumbent who left the GOP this year. He advanced through California's all-party primary.
3. The Rev. Frederick Haynes III, a pastor, is running in Texas' 30th Congressional District
Haynes, a Democrat, leads the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. He entered the race after Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett decided to run for Senate. He won the Democratic primary and will face Republican Everett Jackson, a small-business owner and community organizer.
Haynes does not have formal political experience. His career has focused on church and activism related to economic inequality and criminal justice.
4. Trina Swanson, a former immigration official, running in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District
Swanson, a Democrat, spent almost 20 years with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, working her way up to director of international operations. She left her federal government job in 2025 and entered the race against Republican Rep. Pete Stauber.
She has publicly said she resigned after she was asked to examine the visa status of the spouse of a nanny who was employed by a senior figure connected to the Department of Government Efficiency.
5. Jamie Ager, a farmer running in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District
Ager is making the case that his experience as a fifth-generation farmer translates to serving in the House. He is challenging Republican Jennifer Balkcom, a state lawmaker selected by party officials after Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew from the race following an ethics investigation.
Ager has argued that Democrats lost touch with rural communities and his experience as a farmer will help the party earn back their trust.