Terry Virts launches Democratic bid for Texas Senate

Absolutely hell yeah

As of 2025, at least 8 astronauts have run for the United States Congress, and 6 of them have won elections to either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate.

Here’s a breakdown:

✅ Astronauts who ran and won:

1. John Glenn (Democrat – Ohio)

NASA Mercury & Shuttle astronaut.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974, served four terms (1974–1999).

2. Jack Swigert (Republican – Colorado)

Apollo 13 astronaut.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1982 but died of cancer before taking office.

3. Harrison “Jack” Schmitt (Republican – New Mexico)

Apollo 17 astronaut and geologist.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976, served one term (1977–1983).

4. Mark Kelly (Democrat – Arizona)

Space Shuttle astronaut.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in a 2020 special election and reelected in 2022.

5. Jake Garn (Republican – Utah)

U.S. Senator first, flew on Space Shuttle as payload specialist in 1985.

Although not a NASA astronaut, he was elected before flying, so technically a member of Congress who went to space, not an astronaut who ran.

6. Bill Nelson (Democrat – Florida)

Congressman when he flew on the Space Shuttle in 1986.

Served in the U.S. House and later the Senate; now NASA Administrator.

Like Garn, he was already in office before going to space.

> ✳️ Mark Kelly, John Glenn, and Jack Schmitt are the most prominent cases of astronauts who ran for Congress after spaceflight and won.

❌ Astronauts who ran and lost:

1. José Hernández (Democrat – California)

Space Shuttle astronaut.

Ran for U.S. House in 2012 and lost to incumbent Jeff Denham.

2. Walt Cunningham (Republican – Texas)

Apollo 7 astronaut.

Ran unsuccessfully in a 1970s Republican primary for Congress.

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Summary:

Total who ran: At least 8

Won election (post-spaceflight): 3 (Glenn, Schmitt, Kelly)

Died before taking office: 1 (Swigert)

Ran but lost: 2 (Hernández, Cunningham)

Congressmen who flew after being elected: 2 (Garn, Nelson) — not counted in “astronauts who ran” since their candidacy came before their flight

Let me know if you’d like a visual timeline or bios of each candidate.