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• Democrat Bill Nelson is the senior U.S. Senator from Florida.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: September 29, 1942 in Miami, Florida
  2. Assumed office: January 3, 2001
  3. Party: Democrat
  4. Spouse: Grace Cavert Nelson
  5. Alma mater: Yale University, University of Virginia, University of Florida
  6. Previous position held: Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner
  7. Has two children, Bill Nelson, Jr. and Nan Ellen Nelson
  8. Second sitting member of the U.S. Congress to fly in space (after Jake Garn)

• Early Life

  Nelson earned a B.A. in 1965, after which he earned a degree in law while also serving in the U.S. Army Reserves. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer and a fire marshal.

• Political Career

  Nelson served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years beginning in 1979. During this time, he launched into space on the Columbia space shuttle as a Payload Specialist shortly before the Challenger disaster of 1986. Before being elected Senator, Nelson served as Florida's Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  U.S. Senate | Democratic Party | Florida | NASA

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