ESPN SEC Network host and analyst Paul Finebaum said he is “considering” leaving the Worldwide Leader to run for the U.S. Senate on the republican ticket following the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In a recent interview with OutKick’s Clay Travis, the 70-year-old Finebaum explained that “one or two people in Washington had reached out” to gauge his interest in politics — and that Kirk’s murder fueled a desire for him to be involved.
“It’s hard to describe, not being involved in politics, how that affected me and affected tens of millions of people all over this country. And it was an awakening,” Finebaum said of Kirk, who was killed on Sept. 10 during a Utah Valley University event at the age of 31.
“… One or two people in Washington had reached out to me about whether I would be interested in politics, something I never thought about before. Something I didn’t really think possible. I gave some thought to it as the [after Kirk’s murder] weekend unfolded and got a little bit more interested.”
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, was charged with shooting Kirk after a manhunt involving the FBI, and prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty.
Finebaum said he was hesitant to consider a Senate run because former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl — who retired from coaching last week — had expressed interest in the seat.
“I was… hesitant at first because I was very aware of Bruce’s interest and [I’m a] huge fan of Bruce… I didn’t take it too seriously,” Finebaum said. “I ended up talking to someone… who made it clear that there was a desire for me to be involved. And this person… was compelling and compassionate in the approach to me, and I started thinking about this.”
Tommy Tuberville, one of Alabama’s senators, is running for governor of the state, which would likely leave the seat open.
Finebaum added that he struggled to get through his show after the news of Kirk’s death.
“I spent four hours numb, talking about things that didn’t matter to me. And it kept building throughout that weekend,” Finebaum said. “I felt very empty doing what I was doing that day.”