The science candidates: races to watch in 2018

[William Seger]

www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/science-candidates-races-watch-2018

The 2018 U.S. elections have attracted unusual interest from the scientific community—and some researchers have decided to throw their hats into the ring. This table provides thumbnail sketches of a selected group of those candidates who are seeking the Democratic nomination for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, arranged by the dates of their state primaries. The table will be updated regularly throughout the political cycle, which ends with the general election on 6 November. Let us know if you think there are other candidates we should be following, and why they warrant the community’s attention.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I've met Elaine Di Masi (NY 1) and she's great, but there are 7 Dems running so far...

and she's not the strongest runner. I haven't decided yet who I'm supporting-- it's not just positions and knowledge, it's also fundraising and getting the vote out

I do hope that if she doesn't get it she stays in public life.

[William Seger]

2. Another article: Meet the scientists running to transform Congress in 2018

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/meet-scientists-running-transform-congress-2018

...
Wadkins, who studies biomolecular structures to better understand cancer and how to treat it, is part of what some commentators are calling a historic groundswell of candidates with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). At the federal level, at least 60 science candidates are bidding for seats in Congress, according to 314 Action, a D.C.- based nonprofit advocacy group formed 2 years ago to encourage scientists to engage in politics. The candidates—mostly firsttimers running for House seats—include a physicist who spent 2 decades at a prominent national laboratory, a clinical oncologist at a top-rated cancer center, a former chemistry professor at a 4-year state college, a geologist trying to document every aspect of a tiny piece of the Mojave Desert, and a postdoctoral bioengineering fellow. Some 200 people with STEM backgrounds are also running for state legislative seats, 314 Action estimates, with a similar number vying for school board and other local- and county-level positions.

Almost all are Democrats energized by what they regard as a rising antiscience sentiment pervading Washington, D.C. "I'm afraid we're entering a dark era, with science, reason, and education under attack," Wadkins told his supporters. "And I think members with scientific training can help prevent that."

But first, science candidates must win their races. Most face long odds. For starters, voters may be impressed by a candidate's scientific credentials, but such background is rarely a decisive factor when they go to the polls. In addition, most of this year's STEM candidates are political novices who are starting out far behind their opponents when it comes to knowing how to run a professional campaign.

The demographics of the district can also be a huge barrier. Even a well-funded and well-run campaign probably won't be enough for a first-time Democratic candidate to win in a traditionally Republican district.

[Louis1895]

3. I am getting involved with the new PA-5

Molly Sheehan, PhD

[NNadir]

4. The best congressperson I ever had was the scientist Rush Holt.

Regrettably, he retired from congress a few years back.

I had hoped he would have advanced to the Senate, but that didn't happen.

He now heads the AAAS, which publishes Science.