Scientists in Public Service: Running for office as a STEM candidate

The Washington Post declared 2018 the “Year of the Scientist Running for Office.” But despite scientifically and technologically complex challenges facing elected officials, public service is still a rare path for scientists. This session seeks to demystify the ways that scientists at all levels can engage in the democratic process, from casting a ballot to being on the ballot themselves. Participants will learn what it is like to run for office and to better understand the unique barriers to entering into politics as scientists. They will engage with scientists who have first-hand experience running for office, and leave with concrete ideas about getting involved in the 2020 elections.

314 Action is the scientific community’s premier organization in electoral politics—recruiting and training scientists to run for office, uniting the community in support of STEM based candidates and working to challenge and hold accountable politicians who base policy on ideology rather than evidence.

Through its nonpartisan trainings, 314 Action has trained 1,500 scientists to run for office since 2017.

In 2018 a record number of scientists were elected to office: nine new and seven incumbent STEM Members of the 116th Congress and 35 STEM members to state legislatures across the country.