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'''Clarence William "Bill" Nelson''', born September 29, 1942 (age {{age|1942|9|29}}), is the senior [[United States]] [[Senator]] from [[Florida]], Nelson is a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He is the second sitting member of the [[United States Congress]] to fly in space when he flew aboard the space shuttle ''Columbia'' as a payload specialist during NASA mission STS-61-C (January 12–18, 1986).

'''Clarence William "Bill" Nelson''', born September 29, 1942 (age {{age|1942|9|29}}), is a former [[United States]] [[Senator]] from [[Florida]], Nelson is a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He is the second sitting member of the [[United States Congress]] to fly in space when he flew aboard the space shuttle ''Columbia'' as a payload specialist during NASA mission STS-61-C (January 12–18, 1986).

==Early Life and Education==

==Early Life and Education==

===U.S. Senate===

===U.S. Senate===

In 2000, Nelson won the election for U.S. Senator from Florida, defeating then-Representative Bill McCollum, the Republican candidate. The election was to replace retiring Republican Senator Connie Mack. In 2006 he was reelected to the Senate with 60% of the vote.

In 2000, Nelson won the election for U.S. Senator from Florida, defeating then-Representative Bill McCollum, the Republican candidate. The election was to replace retiring Republican Senator Connie Mack. In 2006 he was reelected to the Senate with 60% of the vote and also won re-election in 2012.

 

However, in 2018, he was defeated by term-limited Florida Governor [[Rick Scott]].

==Political views==

==Political views==

Bill Nelson is generally regarded as a moderate, and was among the few Democrats to vote in favor of CAFTA. He has also voted in favor of tighter bankruptcy restrictions and abolishing the estate tax. He also voted for the 2006 Military Commissions Act. However, he has voted against the [[Partial-birth abortion]] Ban Act and voted against a bill providing for criminal penalties for anyone harming an unborn child during the commission of a crime.  

Bill Nelson was generally regarded as a moderate, and was among the few Democrats to vote in favor of CAFTA. He has also voted in favor of tighter bankruptcy restrictions and abolishing the estate tax. He also voted for the 2006 Military Commissions Act. However, he voted against the [[Partial-birth abortion]] Ban Act and voted against a bill providing for criminal penalties for anyone harming an unborn child during the commission of a crime.  

 

==Personal life==

==Personal life==