Politicians are revved up for the epic battle between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
{mosads}On hand at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium will be Rep. Diane DeGette (D-Colo.), the deputy Democratic whip, and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.).
DelBene is a mega Seahawks fan and longtime season ticket holder, her office said. She once was a high school football referee and regularly schools her staff on the finer points of the NFL rulebook.
DeGette’s family has had Broncos season tickets since 1964.
“This will not be her first, having attended the Broncos only Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998,” spokesman Colby Nelson said.
Embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will also be in the stands, as will New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a former congressman, and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). Major local politicians like Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), whose district encompasses the stadium, will watch remotely.
Coming as a guest of Jets owner Woody Johnson will be former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
While Romney, a Patriots fan, hasn’t made his preference in the game clear, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said Sunday he is rooting for the Seahawks because two top players, including their quarterback, hail from Virginia.
“Not only Russell Wilson, but Michael Robinson is from Richmond, he went to Varina High School. We’re looking for a good game and a big win,” Cantor said CBS “Face the Nation.”
While other members of Congress’s Washington and Colorado delegations are in front of the television for the big game, that hasn’t stopped them from laying bets with each other.
The prize goes to Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), who bet Rocky Mountain oysters — also known as bull calf testicles.
For the Colorado House Democrats, Rep. Jared Polis bet Celestial Seasonings tea, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a porter beer. DeGette has bet whiskey and tamales.
For the Colorado Republicans, Rep. Scott Tipton bet toffee, Rep. Doug Lamborn bet sirloin steaks and Rep. Mike Coffman bet ale.
The Washington House delegation as a whole has vowed to give Skittles to the Colorado delegation, if the Seahawks win. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch is famous for his Skittles habit.
House GOP Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) is betting cheese, while DelBene is betting Woodinville wine and smoked salmon.
Rep. Rick Larsen (D) has put gin from Everett’s Bluewater Distilling on the line, and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) bet candy from Chehalis Mints. Rep. Doc Hastings (R) is also betting wine, while Rep. Jim McDermott (D) has Theo Chocolate on the line.
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D) has bet caramel apples, and Rep. Dave Reichert (R) has chocolate, blueberry pie and apples on the line.
Rep. Adam Smith (D) has bet Vietnamese BBQ and Rep. Denny Heck (D) has bet scone mix.
Over in the Senate, Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) bet Colorado-raised bison from Tony’s Market, Palisade-grown peaches and a gift certificate to Elway’s restaurant if the Seahawks prevail.
Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) wagered smoked salmon from the Nisqually Indian Tribe, a selection of sauces and honey from Brush Prairie, Wash.-based Honey Ridge Farms, and “12th Man” cupcakes from Cupcake Royale in Seattle if the Broncos win.
Underscoring her status as a fan, Cantwell has posted huge 12th Man flags in her Senate office building window.