Space Time
Do Astronauts Make Good Politicians?
Former astronaut Mark Kelly is running for Senate. He may join a small club of astronaut politicians.
Former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly recently announced his candidacy for Senate in Arizona, in a 2020 special election for the seat of the late John McCain. Kelly, who is running as a Democrat, released a long list on Monday of Arizona politicians who support his campaign. And if he’s successful — Kelly raised $1.1 million in the first two days of his campaign — he will join a short list of American astronauts turned politicos.
Many people dream of becoming astronauts, and it’s easy to see why: They get to travel to space, leave our planet behind, and experience zero gravity. But only a handful have wanted to lead back on Earth as well.
The list begins with John Glenn, who in 1962 became the first American to orbit Earth, clocking nearly five hours in space. He was also the first astronaut to be elected to public office.
Glenn had the résumé of an all-American hero. Besides his service at NASA, he had an extensive military career, serving in World War II and the Korean War. Glenn successfully ran for a Senate seat in Ohio in 1974. He held the position for 25 years and ran, unsuccessfully, for…
