Terry Virts, a retired NASA astronaut and self-described “common sense Democrat,” announced Monday that he is running in the 2026 Texas Senate race — which already includes a heated showdown between the Republican incumbent and his primary challenger.
After making an analogy to his experience in space, Virts vowed that “down here, [President Donald] Trump’s chaos must be stopped,” in a video announcement he posted to X early Monday. The former International Space Station (ISS) commander also took a dig at fellow Texas Senate candidate Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the video — while appearing to ignore Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the incumbent who has been consistently trailing Paxton in polling by wide margins.
The astronaut’s video called Paxton “corrupt,” adding that “MAGA wants” the Texas Attorney General “in the Senate.” Following corruption allegations against Paxton, the Texas House of Representatives impeached him in 2023 — however, the Texas Senate acquitted him later that year.
Still, Virts’ announcement did not even acknowledge Cornyn, the current holder of the Senate seat he is seeking, who lags behind in polls. Trump has yet to make an endorsement in the Republican primary.
Virts, in his announcement video, also seemed to criticize his own party’s Senate leader, Chuck Schumer — an apparent tactic presently employed by other Democratic Senate candidates running in key races. The astronaut described “leadership” as “MIA,” while simultaneously showing Schumer chanting, “We will win.”
If Virts wins his party’s primary and later the general election, he would not be first Democratic former NASA astronaut to have successfully made the jump from space to the Senate. Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly flipped his state’s Senate seat blue in 2020 ousting incumbent Republican Arizona Sen. Martha McSally in the process.
Kelly and Virts notably hosted a joint breakfast with the National Press Club in 2015. Kelly has not yet made an endorsement in Texas’ Senate race.
Virts’ video heavily referenced his former career as an astronaut and his service as an Air Force officer. The candidate concluded stating, “I’m Terry Virts, I’m running for U.S. Senate and I’m ready for my next mission.”
The astronaut’s announcement comes at a time when the Democratic Party is struggling to win over male voters and is dogged by allegations of weakness.
Virts so far is the only well-known declared Democratic candidate in Texas’ 2026 Senate race. In the Democratic Primary, he may face former Democratic Texas Rep. Colin Allred, who is considering another Senate run after losing to Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024.
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