Record Number of U.S. Scientists Run for Office in 2024 Midterm Elections

More U.S. scientists are running for state and federal office in the 2024 midterm elections than ever before, according to Nature. Scientist-candidates represent a range of political parties, though most profiled by Nature identify as Democrats.

314 Action, an organization dedicated to electing scientists to public office, reports receiving nearly three times as many applications this year compared to previous cycles. The group provides financial support and training to Democratic candidates with scientific backgrounds.

Key Candidates and Motivations

Sam Wang, a neuroscientist at Princeton University and director of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, is running as a Democrat to represent New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. In an opinion piece for The Daily Princetonian, Wang explained his decision:

“Usually, scientists stick with a specialized field. However, I am deeply unhappy with how unequally power is divided in our society. So I have used my statistical abilities to level one part of democracy’s playing field: by repairing unfair elections.”

Republican candidates, such as Jeff Wilson, who is running for Illinois’ 13th district, cite energy independence as a primary motivation. Third-party scientist-candidates are also running, and scientists are increasingly entering local and municipal races.

Driving Factors Behind the Surge

Democratic candidates cite cuts to federal science programs, grants, and agencies as a key driver. Meanwhile, broader policy shifts—including the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, relaxed pollution restrictions, and plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research—have galvanized support for candidates emphasizing scientific integrity in policymaking.

This trend aligns with a broader movement: over 200 STEM professionals ran for office in the 2024 election, as reported by Eos in October 2024. Jess Phoenix, a volcanologist, science advocate, and former Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, told Eos:

“There are a lot of people who believe that science can help us live better lives and that science really does need to be front and center when we’re making public policy.”

Public Sentiment and Political Engagement

In March, thousands of people attended Stand Up for Science rallies nationwide to protest the misuse of science in federal policy and significant staffing and funding cuts to scientific agencies. Since President Trump took office in 2025, over 10,000 PhD-level scientists have left the federal workforce, according to a January report by Science.

Public trust in scientists has fluctuated in recent years. Pew Research data shows a decline in confidence following the COVID-19 pandemic, though modest improvements have been observed since 2023. The latest poll, released in January, found that 77% of U.S. adults have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in scientists.