About
Clarence William "Bill" Nelson II is an American politician, attorney, and former astronaut with a diverse career in public service. He represented Florida as a U.S. Senator from 2001 to 2019. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Florida House of Representatives. Notably, Nelson flew as a payload specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986, making him one of the few members of Congress to travel to space. He served as the administrator of NASA from 2021-2025.
Career Timeline
Elected to U.S. House
Begins serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Space Shuttle Mission
Flies on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Elected to U.S. Senate
Becomes a U.S. Senator representing Florida.
Leaves the Senate
Term ends, transitioning out of Senate.
Administrator of NASA
Nominated and confirmed to lead NASA.
Leaves NASA
Steps down from administrator position.
Continues Public Service
Remains active in public policy and advocacy.
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Last updated: February 25, 2026