Former NASA astronaut Terry Virts is working for certainly one of Texas’ United States Senate seats, he introduced as we speak (June 23).
Virts, a retired U.S. Air Pressure colonel, F-16 pilot and two-time crew member of the International Space Station (ISS), introduced his candidacy Monday in a video posted to social media. “Trump’s chaos should be stopped. The corruption is overwhelming. Our Structure is below assault,” Virts says within the 2-minute clip. His run goals to problem the Texas Legal professional Normal Ken Paxton’s bid, who’s polling larger than John Cornyn, the Republican Senator at the moment holding the seat and is up for reelection in 2026.
Virts frames his campaign towards a divisive and dysfunctional Washington, the place he says management is M.I.A. “After each [NASA] mission, we debrief, no excuses,” Virts says, including, “after the 2024 election catastrophe, Washington Democratic management skipped the debrief.”
Virts piloted House Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-130 mission in 2010, and served as ISS commander in 2015. He logged greater than 212 cumulative days in area earlier than his retirement from NASA, and has since remained within the public mild by way of his books, public talking and STEM (science, expertise, engineering and math) outreach.
I am launching a marketing campaign for U.S. Senate. I am looking for to serve Texas as a result of I really like my nation—I consider in its beliefs and values. I am an Air Pressure Colonel and an astronaut, however actually, I am an American first, a Texan second, and a common sense Democrat third. It is time for change. pic.twitter.com/OBHL1QjkZxJune 23, 2025
As Senator, Virts plans to make use of his experiences in area to emphasise cooperation and problem-solving on Earth. “From orbit, Earth takes your breath away,” Virts says at the beginning of the video. “However amidst that magnificence, hazard isn’t far. You be taught quick that chaos is deadly, so that you adapt, you remedy issues and also you lead as a result of your lives rely upon it,” he stated.
Virts is submitting as a Democrat, becoming a member of a subject of early challengers all vying for the seat. Whereas Virts’ marketing campaign video highlights Paxton as an opponent, Cornyn has represented Texas within the Senate since 2002 and has turn out to be a fixture on the nationwide stage.
If elected, Virts would not be the primary astronaut to enter into politics. Former NASA astronauts Charles Bolden and Invoice Nelson each flew aboard area shuttle missions, served within the U.S. Senate, and have been additionally each appointed as NASA directors. Mark Kelly flew 4 area shuttle missions between 2001 and 2011, and was elected as certainly one of Arizona’s state senators in 2020. And John Glenn, famously the primary American to orbit the Earth, served as Ohio state senator from 1974-1999. These are only some examples of astronauts who’ve pivoted to political careers.
Although his frustrations within the online video are offered by way of the nationwide lens, Virts can also be concentrating on the state he hopes to symbolize. “This second calls for one thing totally different: Honesty, braveness and a clear break from the previous,” Virts stated. “I am going to make it my mission to battle for Texans day-after-day: Texas farmers crushed by Trump’s insane tariffs, Texas staff buried with rising prices, Texas children hit with schooling cuts and Texas communities kicked off Medicaid. I’ve risked my life for this nation, and I am going to battle anybody attempting to destroy it.”
“I am an American. First, a Texan. Second, and a standard sense Democrat third. It is time for brand spanking new management. I am Terry Virts I am working for US Senate and I am prepared for my subsequent mission.”