Election Microscope

Scientists took to the streets last April. This year, they’re headed to the polls

- Kate Sheridan

AS A BIOLOGY PROFESSOR AT Yale, Valerie Horsley has commanded the attention of students in lecture halls. But on April 22, 2017, she stood in front of a far larger crowd— 3,000 people—as one of the organizers of the New Haven March for Science. “It might have been the quietest march I’ve ever been to,” she says. “I don’t know if scientists just aren’t used to screaming on the streets.”

Even if scientists weren’t making noise last Earth Day, they will be in towns and state capitals across the country come November. Horsley is among more than 50 candidates running in state and local races endorsed by the science- oriented political action committee 314 Action Fund. In the past year, the organization has raised $2 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Its goal: Elect more candidates with serious science cred.