Former WWE wrestler Dan Rodimer to enter special election U.S. House race in Texas

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Former WWE wrestler Dan Rodimer to enter special election U.S. House race in Texas (archive.is)

>Just moments before the filing deadline Wednesday March 3rd, a 6-foot-7-inch former pro wrestler from Las Vegas unexpectedly appeared at the Texas secretary of state’s office to file for a vacant congressional seat. He said Ted Cruz and the Trump family sent him.

>That candidate, Dan Rodimer, is sending shock waves through the race to replace the late Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas) — the first competitive special election since former President Donald Trump left office and an important suburban bellwether. It's for the Texas' 6th U.S. House District, which includes a huge swath of the region southwest of Dallas and the city of Arlington

>Rodimer arrived in Austin late Wednesday afternoon, telling people he'd been encouraged to run by Cruz and members of Trump's family, according to two people familiar with the exchange who requested anonymity.

>Rodimer, one-time World Wrestling Entertainment sensation who lost elections to Congress and state Senate in Nevada over the past three years, shocked Republicans in Washington and Texas with his decision to enter into a crowded field that has 22 other candidates, including the late member of congress’s widow. He has no previous ties to the district but raised more than $3 million for his 2020 race and could be formidable in a muddled run.

>Rodimer initially tried to file to run on Wednesday afternoon in Fort Worth. When he realized he needed to file in Austin, which is several hours away with traffic, he chartered a plane to take him there. He told people he was encouraged to come to Texas to file for the seat by members of Trump's entourage and that he had come from Mar-a-Lago and would be returning there after, according to people familiar with his exchanges. He said Cruz “wanted to see him in Congress,” as well, according to those observers.

>In emailed answers to questions posed by POLITICO, Rodimer declined to directly answer whether Trump or his family urged him to begin a campaign.

>"A number of individuals have privately encouraged me to run for office in the state. I did have dinner with Sen. Cruz a couple of weeks ago, and he thought I should consider a future run but not specifically this seat," Rodimer said.

>Nearly two dozen candidates, including 10 Democrats and 11 Republicans, signed up to run in the special election by the close of the filing period. Many local leaders have begun to coalesce behind Susan Wright, the widow of the late congressman and a longtime politico in the state and member of Texas state Republican executive committee. Other candidates include state Rep. Jake Ellzey, a veteran who ran against Wright for the then-open seat in 2018 and Brian Harrison, a former top Trump aide at the department of health and human services.

He was known as Dan Rodman when he wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment. Since he lost two recent electoral races in Nevada, he's already being looked upon as a carpetbagger in Texas. He appears to have support from the Trump camp. >>Just moments before the filing deadline Wednesday March 3rd, a 6-foot-7-inch former pro wrestler from Las Vegas unexpectedly appeared at the Texas secretary of state’s office to file for a vacant congressional seat. He said Ted Cruz and the Trump family sent him. >>That candidate, Dan Rodimer, is sending shock waves through the race to replace the late Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas) — the first competitive special election since former President Donald Trump left office and an important suburban bellwether. It's for the Texas' 6th U.S. House District, which includes a huge swath of the region southwest of Dallas and the city of Arlington >>Rodimer arrived in Austin late Wednesday afternoon, telling people he'd been encouraged to run by Cruz and members of Trump's family, according to two people familiar with the exchange who requested anonymity. >>Rodimer, one-time World Wrestling Entertainment sensation who lost elections to Congress and state Senate in Nevada over the past three years, shocked Republicans in Washington and Texas with his decision to enter into a crowded field that has 22 other candidates, including the late member of congress’s widow. He has no previous ties to the district but raised more than $3 million for his 2020 race and could be formidable in a muddled run. >>Rodimer initially tried to file to run on Wednesday afternoon in Fort Worth. When he realized he needed to file in Austin, which is several hours away with traffic, he chartered a plane to take him there. He told people he was encouraged to come to Texas to file for the seat by members of Trump's entourage and that he had come from Mar-a-Lago and would be returning there after, according to people familiar with his exchanges. He said Cruz “wanted to see him in Congress,” as well, according to those observers. >>In emailed answers to questions posed by POLITICO, Rodimer declined to directly answer whether Trump or his family urged him to begin a campaign. >>"A number of individuals have privately encouraged me to run for office in the state. I did have dinner with Sen. Cruz a couple of weeks ago, and he thought I should consider a future run but not specifically this seat," Rodimer said. >>Nearly two dozen candidates, including 10 Democrats and 11 Republicans, signed up to run in the special election by the close of the filing period. Many local leaders have begun to coalesce behind Susan Wright, the widow of the late congressman and a longtime politico in the state and member of Texas state Republican executive committee. Other candidates include state Rep. Jake Ellzey, a veteran who ran against Wright for the then-open seat in 2018 and Brian Harrison, a former top Trump aide at the department of health and human services.

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