Chuck's dilemma regarding his sex life is reminiscent of an Illinois race for the U.S. Senate in 2004. The Republican candidate, Jack Ryan, had been married to actress Jeri Ryan for much of the 1990s, but they divorced in 1999. During the race some local media got hold of the Ryan divorce and child custody files and it turned out that Jack Ryan allegedly had some kinky sexual tastes. Unlike Chuck Rhoades, however, Ryan had to drop out of the race. His replacement as Republican candidate lost the general election to then-State Senator Barack Obama.