While medical and science professionals have typically avoided throwing their hats in the ring by running for political office, more than 450 candidates with backgrounds in technology, science, engineering and math are running for federal and state office during the midterm elections Nov. 6, according to CBS News.
The Nov. 6 midterm elections will feature a number of health and science professionals running for office. Among them is 26-year-old Lauren Underwood, RN, who aims to be the first African-American woman to represent Illinois' 14th congressional district.
Ms. Underwood told CBS News legislators need to have a nurse at the table if they plan on enacting some real change in healthcare policy.
"I feel like this is what this moment is calling for. We have witnessed something that I feel [has] never happened before. We see our policymakers trying to dismiss facts. They are ignoring facts and not consulting experts," she said.
Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy told CBS News that while the majority of scientists are running as Democrats, their political affiliation will not affect their voting record.
"Clearly, [the scientist candidates] see the same thing that we do, which is: It's not just the science under attack, but it's the scientists themselves … and we need people in leadership positions in the public sector who can help make sure there's evidence and fact-based decisions being made," Ms. McCarthy said.
"Scientists are not interested in becoming political leaders so that they can politicize the science. They want to join so that the science cannot be politicized," she added.
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