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This year, more than 30 candidates with science, technology, engineering, math, and medical backgrounds are on the ballot for national elections.

See “Amid Pandemic, Scientists Lean on Credentials in Political Races

If we’ve missed a scientist running for office, please let us know.

Winning candidates are highlighted in green. We will continue to update this list. (Last updated November 4)

Candidates running for House seats:

Name 

STEM background 

Race

Opponent

Hiral Tipirneni (D) 

Emergency room physician 

Arizona, 6th congressional district 

David Schweikert (R)

Ami Bera (D)
Incumbent
WINNER

Physician 

California, 7th congressional district 

Buzz Patterson (R)

Chris Bubser (D) 

Biotechnologist, engineer

California, 8th congressional district 

Jay Obernolte (R)

Jerry McNerney (D)
Incumbent
WINNER

Mathematician and engineer

California, 9th congressional district 

Antonio Armador (R)

TJ Cox (D)
Incumbent

Chemical engineer

California, 21st congressional district 

David Valadao...


Candidates running for Senate seats:

Name 

STEM background 

Race

Opponent

Alan Gross (Nonpartisan)  

Orthopedic surgeon

Alaska

Daniel Sullivan (R), John Howe (Alaskan Independence Party), Sid Hill (Nonpartisan), Jed Whittaker (Green Party)

Mark Kelly (D) 
WINNER

Astronaut, engineer, aviator

Arizona

Martha McSally (R), 17 others

John Hickenlooper (D)
WINNER

Geologist

Colorado 

Cory Gardner (R), Raymon Doane (L), Sephan Evans (Unity Party), Bruce Lohmiller (Green Party), Michael Sanchez (Independent), Danny Skelly (Independent)

Chris Coons (D)
Incumbent
WINNER

Chemistry degree

Delaware

Lauren Witzke (R), Mark Turley (Independent), Nadine Frost (L)

Barbara Bollier (D) 

Anesthesiologist

Kansas

Roger Marshall (R) WINNER,
Jason Buckley (L)

Roger Marshall (R)
WINNER

Physician 

Kansas 

Barbara Bollier (D), Jason Buckley (L) 

Steve Daines (R)
WINNER

Chemical engineer

Montana

Steve Bullock (D)

Merav Ben-David (D)

Wildlife ecologist

Wyoming

Cynthia Lummis (R) WINNER

Interested in reading more?

2020 elections stem candidates house senate congress science pandemic coronavirus covid-19

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