15 Politicos Cool Down With ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Melissa Quinn / August 22, 2014

It’s the chilly challenge that’s sweeping the nation. So it’s no surprise that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has spread to Capitol Hill, state houses and other political habitats.

The challenge — dump a bucket of ice water on your head and post it to social media or donate $100 to a charity fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease — has taken the Internet and social media by storm.

What began as a way to raise awareness and money for ALS research among regular folks has snowballed to include movie stars, pop singers, athletes and, yes, politicians.

From July 29 to Aug. 21, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than $53 million for the ALS Association, the most prominent of the anti-ALS charities. In the same period last year, the organization raised just over $2 million.

>>> Why Some Pro-Lifers Go Cold on Ice Bucket Challenge

To kick off this weekend, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney got in on the Ice Bucket Challenge action — in a suit, no less — thanks to his bucket-wielding 2012 running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

Check out Romney’s cool down, plus 14 other politicians who accepted the icy challenge.

2012 Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney

Post by Mitt Romney.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Post by Paul Ryan.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine

Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis.

Post by Scott Walker.

Gov. Pat Quinn, D-Ill.

Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C.

Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y.