A Scientist for the Senate

[cos]

When I posted about Scientists in Congress nearly 6 years ago, there were four. Of those four, only one remains, although he's been joined by Bill Foster, who I mentioned in that post because he was running for office at the time. We now have two scientists in the House, and zero in the Senate.

But Rush Holt, the one remaining from that list of four, is now running for US Senate in New Jersey.

Cory Booker is going to win this Democratic primary next week, so we're not about to get a scientist in the Senate quite yet... but in a 4-candidate race, Rush Holt is closely tied in polls for second place. I'd love to see him finish a strong second, ahead of the other two candidates, which could make him a likely frontrunner the next time a Senate seat opens up.

Rush Holt has long been one of my favorite members of Congress. He led in the fight against paperless touch screen voting machines, and most recently, he's the one who introduced a bill this year to repeal most of the Patriot Act. He has, of course, been a voice for scientific literacy in Congressional debate. He's also the only Quaker in Congress. He's a former assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, and he's been published in Science!

Who do you know in New Jersey? Can you ask them if they'll vote for Rush Holt on Tuesday?

Comments

[pax_athena]

We now have two scientists in the House, and zero in the Senate.
-- I clearly don't know much American politics, but given the recent developments in science funding, this is double scary ... Not because I work in science and clearly depend on this funding myself, but because what it means for the whole society.

[cos]

I agree that the dearth of scientists in Congress is worrying. The biggest reason for it is that very few scientists run for office. Understandable, since most of them would rather be doing science, I expect, but I wish more would run. One thing you could do to help is, when you're out here, encourage some of your American colleagues to consider running for office. Especially any who complain about public policy in your hearing :)