Harrison Butker announces he is starting Political Action Committee

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Chiefs didn’t play this weekend, but that doesn’t mean kicker Harrison Butker wasn’t in the headlines.

Last week, Butker campaigned with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley in Parkville, Missouri. Then on Saturday, Butker announced he was starting a political action committee with this Instagram post.

KCTV5 spoke with two local political science professors to learn more about the implications of Butker starting a PAC.

“This is him saying if you’re interested in what I’m interested in, come donate and we’ll do it together,” said UMKC Political Science Professor Debra Leiter. “What this gives you the opportunity to do is raise money for the candidates or issues that you care about, in an organized way that also allows you to receive donations from people with common interests.”

Butker endorsed Hawley on Thursday at a campaign event.

“I’m so grateful to Senator Hawley, to his pro-life stance, to him fighting for strong borders,” Butker said. “We have to protect this country and put it in order.”

While Butker was seen prominently with Hawley on Thursday, another local political analyst told KCTV5 that Butker’s PAC could have its biggest impact in the election races.

“People know who Josh Hawley is, right? For the most part,” said Matt Harris, a political science professor at Park University. “But (Butker’s) ability to bring visibility to the least voted candidates – if that’s the path he chooses – I think that’s where a Harrison Butker could have a political influence.”

Butker says the goal of his PAC is to motivate Christian voters to go to the polls in November to protect Christian values at the polls.

“Athletes are citizens like the rest of us – people who have political opinions and want to express them, want to support them, want to push for policies and candidates,” Harris said. “Overall, I think it’s good that we have people willing to get involved, be active and engaged. There will be athletes you agree and disagree with, but ultimately they are citizens too.”