Bill Nelson
| Bill Nelson | |
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United States Senator from Florida |
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Assumed office January 3, 2001 Serving with Marco Rubio |
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| Preceded by | Connie Mack III |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee | |
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Assumed office January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | John Thune |
| Chair of the Senate Aging Committee | |
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In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Herb Kohl |
| Succeeded by | Susan Collins |
| Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal of Florida | |
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In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 |
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| Governor |
Lawton Chiles Buddy MacKay Jeb Bush |
| Preceded by | Tom Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | Tom Gallagher |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 11th district |
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In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Dan Mica |
| Succeeded by | Jim Bacchus |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 9th district |
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In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Louis Frey Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Michael Bilirakis |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 47th district |
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In office November 7, 1972 – November 7, 1978 |
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| Preceded by | Mary R. Grizzle |
| Succeeded by | Tim Deratany |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Clarence William Nelson II September 29, 1942 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Cavert (1972–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education |
University of Florida Yale University (BA) University of Virginia (JD) |
| Website | Senate website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
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| Service/branch |
 United States Army
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| Years of service | 1965–1968, 1970–1971 (Reserve) 1968–1970 (Active) |
| Rank |
 Captain
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| NASA Payload Specialist | |
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Time in space
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6d 02h 03m |
| Missions | STS-61-C |
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Mission insignia
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Clarence William "Bill" Nelson II (born September 29, 1942) is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party who serves as the senior United States Senator from Florida, in office since 2001. Nelson began his career in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 1973 to 1979. He then served in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991. In January 1986, Nelson became the first sitting member of the United States Congress to fly in space. He flew as a Payload Specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
He retired from Congress in 1990 to run for Governor of Florida but was unsuccessful. He was appointed as Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal of Florida, serving from 1995 to 2001.
In 2000, Nelson ran for and was elected to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Republican Senator Connie Mack III. He was re-elected in 2006 with 60% of the vote and in 2012 with 55% of the vote. In the Senate, he is generally considered a moderate Democrat.
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Wikipedia