Bill Nelson

Clarence William "Bill" Nelson II (born September 29, 1942) is an American politician and astronaut. Nelson was the 14th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 2021 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was the United States Senator from Florida from 2001 to 2019. He lost his re-election campaign in 2018 to Republican Governor Rick Scott.

He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1972 to 1978 and in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991. In January 1986, he became the second sitting member of Congress to fly in space, after Jake Garn. He was a payload specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Nelson retired from Congress in 1990 to run for Governor of Florida, but was lost the Democratic nomination to Lawton Chiles.

In March 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Nelson to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in his administration.

Early life
Nelson was born in Miami, Florida. He was raised in Melbourne, Florida. Nelson studied at the University of Florida, Yale University and at the University of Virginia.

Early political career
Nelson began his career in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 1973 to 1979. He then served in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991.

In January 1986, Nelson became the second sitting member of the United States Congress to fly in space along with John Glenn. He flew as a Payload Specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia.

United States Senate
He served in the United States Senate, serving Florida from 2001 to 2019.

In the U.S. Senate, he was a centrist and a moderate Democrat. Nelson supported same-sex marriage, lowering taxes on lower and middle income families, expanding environmental programs and regulation, protecting the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid.

Nelson chaired the Senate Aging Committee from 2013 to 2015, and was Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee from 2015 to 2019.

Nelson lost re-election in 2018 to Republican Rick Scott by 0.1%.

Administrator to NASA
On February 22, 2021, reports emerged that President Joe Biden was considering nominating Nelson to be the NASA Administrator. Biden officially nominated Nelson on March 19, 2021 to the position.

His nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 29, 2021 by a unanimous voice vote.

Personal life
In 1972, Nelson married Grace Cavert.  The couple have two adult children: Charles William "Bill Jr." Nelson, and Nan Ellen Nelson."Florida's senior senator praises Martinez, stays quiet about possible candidates in 2010".   U.S. Senator Bill Nelson – Florida (official U.S. Senate website). Retrieved 2009-12-16. He has suffered from prostate cancer.

References

Other websites

Category:1942 births
Category:Living people
Category:American astronauts
Category:Lawyers from Miami
Category:Military people from Florida
Category:Episcopalians
Category:Politicians from Miami
Category:United States representatives from Florida
Category:United States senators from Florida
Category:University of Florida alumni
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:Yale University alumni
Category:21st-century American politicians
Category:20th-century American politicians
Category:Administrators of NASA
Category:Members of the Florida Legislature