After Ohio Senator Rob Portman announced on Monday that he would not run for the seat in 2022, netizens immediately hyped up the idea of NBA star LeBron James seeking a seat in the Senate.
The Republican Senator revealed that he is going to retire, citing the issue of polarization between the two parties and saying that this problem has worsened over the past few decades.
"We live in an increasingly polarized country where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground", Portman stated.
LeBron, who has no public party affiliation, has expressed support to Democratic candidates during the last four presidential elections in the United States, endorsing Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.
An open seat in Ohio, you say? pic.twitter.com/vgTDDFghsE
— Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) January 25, 2021
If LeBron James make the Senate and the finals in the same year he’s really the goat https://t.co/KZ5BFb4fVd
— People dying shawty (@TJMcHater) January 25, 2021
Instead of donating to a party that has failed Ohio. We need a transformative leader. Please get the word out and bring LeBron James home to take the senate seat. https://t.co/cY4eRBTDKh
— LeBron James for US Senate (@LebronSenate) January 25, 2021
Some people suggested more basketball players for the Senate.
Yeah, yeah, LeBron for the open Ohio Senate seat but hear me out: MJ for the open North Carolina Senate seat. Imagine the Senate floor debates
— Jackson Hoppe (@jackson_hoppe) January 25, 2021
Despite LeBron's activism and vocal political positions on multiple issues, some netizens appeared to dislike the idea of the sport icon running for Senate.
Just what we need. Another arrogant jerk in the senate.
— Jerry Bones (@JerryBones671) January 25, 2021
Play ball ... BFD - no brains.
LeBron James for US Senate calls ramp up amid Portman's decision not to see reelection https://t.co/GLqB2FvJlV #FoxNews
Can we stop with pushing celebrities to run for office. Like literally begging them to. I love LeBron James, but he should not run for Senate.
— Avery Gagne 🇵🇭 (@avery_gagne) January 25, 2021
I wonder if LeBron could spell the word Senate. Next y’all gonna tell us Charlamagne tha God should be Mayor of New York 😂😂😂💦
— Free Thinker (@shurlandbullen) January 25, 2021
The 36-year-old basketballer has also been a vocal critic of the former US president, Donald Trump, questioning his "Make America Great Again" slogan and calling him "a bum".
James has a charity foundation, the Akron-based LeBron James Family Foundation, also actively supporting non-profit organizations such as After-School All-Stars, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Children's Defense Fund.
Earlier in 2020, LeBron said no to suggestions that he could run for the White House. His stance on a possible Senate bid is unknown.
Currently, the Senate is divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans, with Vice President Kamala Harris providing the additional Democratic vote in the event of a tie, as Senate president.
