Departing Congressman urges more scientists to enter politics

Science : Physicist-turned-businessman-turned-Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL)—who lost his seat in the November midterm elections—says the need for more legislators with scientific backgrounds may serve as the impetus for the next stage of his career. Because Foster thinks his scientific training helped him as a legislator, he is contemplating launching what he calls “Albert’s list” (named for Albert Einstein). The initiative would be modeled on EMILY’s List, the successful political action committee that was formed in 1985 to advance and protect women’s access to abortion. Like EMILY’s list, Albert’s list would help elect candidates for political office.