Former NCAA swimming champion Riley Gaines, a passionate advocate for women’s sports, recently hinted at the possibility of a future political career. The 24-year-old athlete’s comments emerged after legislative attempts to limit transgender athletes from competing in women’s events faced significant setbacks across the United States.
Legislative Setbacks Fuel Advocacy
Gaines’s remarks followed a critical Senate vote that failed to advance the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025” (HR 28) due to a Democratic filibuster. The defeat has only intensified her commitment to challenge lawmakers opposing such measures, particularly the 45 Democratic senators who voted against breaking the filibuster.
Leading the charge to protect women’s sports, @SpeakerJohnson & our very own @Riley_Gaines_, AFPI’s Vice Chair of the Athletes for America coalition, are championing fairness for EVERY female athlete. Big wins for women’s sports are on the way—the best is yet to come. 🇺🇸🏅 pic.twitter.com/1mUfz3wYDS
— America First Policy Institute (@A1Policy) January 14, 2025
“Now, of course, with this issue and more, I would say the whole America-first agenda. I am just so passionate; I care so deeply, and I love it, so we’ll see,” Gaines told Fox News when asked about her potential run for office. She has been active in advocating for policies that align with her beliefs, traveling extensively across various states to raise awareness.
While acknowledging the daunting nature of entering politics, she remains open to the idea of campaigning. “It’s definitely not something I would rule out. I don’t think I’m that crazy yet, because I do think you have to be a bit clinically insane to voluntarily do that,” she remarked candidly.
Aiming for Change in Georgia
In a bold move, Gaines pledged to unseat Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in the upcoming 2026 elections after he voted against measures aimed at excluding biological males from women’s sports. Her decision reflects a broader strategy to engage in electoral politics, emphasizing her mission to flip Georgia’s Senate seat.
Recent social media posts underscore her determination; one tweet declared, “🚨 BREAKING: Riley Gaines vows to oust Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in 2026 after he voted against barring men from women’s sports.”
🚨 BREAKING: Riley Gaines vows to oust Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in 2026 after he voted against barring men from women’s sports.
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) March 4, 2025
The ex-NCAA swimmer turned activist says it’s her mission to flip Georgia’s Senate seat.
Brian Kemp is likely to run against Ossoff for the Senate… pic.twitter.com/PRfeCpxij8
From Athlete to Advocate
Gaines first rose to prominence during the contentious 2022 NCAA championships, where she competed against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas from the University of Pennsylvania. This pivotal experience reshaped her trajectory, transitioning her ambitions from dentistry to become a full-time advocate for what she describes as the integrity of women’s sports.
Her increasing visibility in political discussions has garnered support from established Republican figures in Washington. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) expressed her confidence in Gaines’s potential, stating, “I think Riley has the ability to pursue whatever she wants to pursue… I am so pleased to see the work that she’s doing to protect women and girls.”
🚨 BREAKING: Riley Gaines vows to make it her mission to unseat Democrat Senator John Ossoff in 2026 after he voted against protecting women’s sports from biological males. 🚨
— Ron De Santins 🇺🇸 NEWS (@RonDeSNews) March 4, 2025
Do you support her fight?
YES
NO pic.twitter.com/8KHzUOImDC
Support for State Legislation
Most recently, Gaines traveled to Minnesota to back state legislation designed to safeguard women’s sports, though that bill also met with failure. This event underscores the challenges advocates face in enacting meaningful reforms at both state and federal levels.
Critique of Progressive Politics
In addition to her legislative advocacy, Gaines has been vocal in critiquing progressive politicians. In November, she took aim at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) following changes in the congresswoman’s social media profile, which saw the removal of her “she/her” pronouns. Gaines remarked on social media, “They’ll pretend they never embraced (or even celebrated) the insanity. Don’t forget who the compliant, virtue-signaling sheep were,” in response to speculation regarding Ocasio-Cortez’s distancing from extreme progressive stances.
They’ll pretend they never embraced (or even celebrated) the insanity.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 14, 2024
Don’t forget who the compliant, virtue-signaling sheep were. https://t.co/k1jBdlXJ55
Continued Activism and Visibility
Gaines’s activism continues to resonate across the political landscape, reflecting a growing movement that seeks to redefine the rules surrounding women’s sports. As she navigates this complex terrain, her potential transition into electoral politics remains a subject of keen interest among supporters and detractors alike.
With her recent comments and unwavering dedication to her cause, Riley Gaines is positioning herself as a formidable force in the ongoing debate over the future of women’s sports and the role of transgender athletes.
