Janelle Irwin Taylor
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is a political icon in Florida Politics. Cumulatively, he spent 30 years serving in Washington.
“You have to have respect for his longevity,” said Tallahassee lobbyist Gus Corbella. “You can’t talk about the last 30 years without mentioning Bill Nelson.”
Nelson doesn’t have too many standout battles, but he was an essential ally for Democrats, especially representing one of the nation’s most crucial swing states.
In 2011, Vice President Joe Biden said during a Florida fundraiser that without Nelson’s victory in 2012, there would not be a President Barack Obama second term, noting that “as goes Bill Nelson in Florida, so go Barack Obama and Joe Biden in Florida,” according to a pool report from the time.
“He’s a truly, truly decent guy who has the absolute respect of his colleagues, and I’ve heard that from both sides of the aisle,” Biden said of his former Senate colleague at that event.
Rep. Jennifer Webb praised Nelson’s diplomatic approach to politics.
“The political process would be better with more leaders like Bill Nelson. He and Grace epitomize civility and service through politics. Regardless of whether you like his policies, his face is synonymous with statesmanship,” Webb said.
“Plus, at 76 years old, he can still do more pushups than Cory Booker — why wasn’t this a campaign ad?” Webb quipped on his recent loss to now Sen. Rick Scott.
Nelson voted against the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court and launched a filibuster during the Senate confirmation process.
Policy-wise, Nelson towed the party line over the last decade. He strongly supported gun reform and spoke out against the onslaught of mass shootings in schools and public places.
Nelson also supported environmental policy protecting the nation, and Florida in particular, from climate change. He supported the U.S.’s inclusion into the Paris Climate Accord and spoke sternly against President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from it.
Nelson also voted in favor of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act that imposed strict sanctions against Iran, North Korea and Russia, which many Republicans strongly opposed. Despite pushback, Trump signed it into law after taking office.
On LGBT issues, Nelson was initially opposed to same-sex marriage. He voted in favor of repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Act that blocked gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. In 2013 he came out in favor of same-sex marriage.
Nelson also led efforts to reduce student loan debt by cutting interest rates on student loans to 4%.
But Nelson’s personal claim to fame? He was the second sitting member of Congress to fly in space in 1986. Ask any political insider, and they will all agree, Nelson frequently includes “when I flew in space” in his public appearances. See here, here, here and here, for reference. He served as a payload specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
“Sen. Nelson is the kind of statesperson the political process no longer produces,” said prominent Democratic fundraiser Beth Matuga. “His calm, steady leadership and institutional knowledge — both terrestrial and extra — are sorely missed by Democrats in Florida. The state and country are poorer for his absence from elective office.”
17 comments
Julie
January 14, 2020 at 12:19 pm
We miss Senator Nelson! Integrity is in short supply in Washington these days, especially in the Senate!
Karen Oliver
January 15, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Great man and great Senator. I agree – wish we had more like him in Washington
Nick Jo
January 14, 2020 at 12:28 pm
I think that Senator Nelson’s training as a pilot and astronaut gave him the sense that there is more than one way at looking at an issue, and when necessary, a course correction is perfectly appropriate.
Patrick Rose
January 14, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Bill Nelson deserves each and every honor mentioned in the above article as well as many more as Florida’s Insurance Commissioner and Cabinet member who fought for all Floridians to have a better way of life before representing us in Washington DC. Thank you Bill!
Gilberto Nieves
January 14, 2020 at 1:42 pm
Bill Nelson deserves all those accolades. Great Senator.
Diane
January 14, 2020 at 1:44 pm
This is one of the worst examples of “journalism” I’ve seen since the advent of Fox “News.” A few examples:
“Nelson doesn’t have too many standout battles, but he was an essential ally for Democrats.” WRONG. This attempts to paint Nelson as simply a ‘yes’ man. Do your homework! Nelson led battles to preserve environmentally sensitive areas of Florida, including barrier islands and the Apalachicola watershed, Gulf of Mexico resources. Nelson was also a big fighter for veterans! And to preserve Florida’s foothold in the space program. And ask the people in Escambia Co, etc., of Nelson’s success to protect public access to Gulf beaches.
I fail to understand how it is with a politician with as many wins as Nelson has had these are the best quotes the reporter can muster. Wondering just how hard she tried. “You have to respect his longevity.” – No, you respect his achievements!
“Policy-wise, Nelson towed the party line over the last decade.” WRONG. I cannot think of anything more condescending and insulting to a public servant than to accuse him/her of casting votes just to go along with “the Party.” Just maybe he cast his votes because he BELIEVED in or against the issue!
“Don’t ask, Don’t tell Act that blocked gay and lesbian individuals form serving in the US Armed Forces.” WRONG. Does FLAPOL have no proof readers over the age of 35? This policy did NOT block gays from serving. It prevented military command from asking about one’s sexuality and also prevented gays from openly displaying their sexuality. This was a damn good compromise to prevent gays from being kicked out of the military at a time with there was no chance of getting Congress to pass rules that protected exposed gay military members.
Yes, Nelson voted to repeal “Don’t ask Don’t Tell” in 2010, along with every Senate Democratic except Joe Manchin (nearly every Republican voted against repeal). Repeal of the policy was to allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve openly in the US military.
How can anyone forget Nelson’s leadership in banning oil drilling in the Gulf off Florida’s coast; not just for environmental reasons but also, uniquely raised by Nelson, the potential impact to military aerial training over the Gulf, a critical element of national security.
About the only insightful part worth reading is the last paragraph, and especially the last sentence (quote): “The state and country are poorer for his absence from elective office.”
This article fails to mention the many years Nelson served before Congress. Learn much more about Nelson’s public service at this link. And consider the sacrifice he AND his family made so that he could serve his country, i.e., — us.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Nelson
lois duff
January 14, 2020 at 1:58 pm
i found it highly suspicious that bill was not reelected . he should have been and cant understand the people in our district. everyone i talked to was for nelson so why did he get beat by an opponent really no one liked as a govenor. makes one wonder???
Martha
January 14, 2020 at 2:40 pm
In reading the piece, I felt much of the same things Diane mentions in her comments. Bill never overcame, in the minds of reporters and therefore most of the public, the Florida Trend cover asking if he was an empty suit. That and much of the ridicule around his Space Shuttle trip had more to do with establishment Dems (including the state’s most influential media outlets) supporting Lawton Chiles’s in the primary race for governor than any lack of substance on Bill’s part. Let’s also not forget his fights to block offshore oil drilling. I believe traveling into space and seeing how very small our planet and our state is in the overall scheme of things had a profound effect on Bill. That he maintained a sense of wonder around both our ability to build machines that fly people into space and the perspective of the fragile toe-hold we have in the universe is to me to be celebrated.
Ward Posey
January 14, 2020 at 2:51 pm
Bill Nelson was the best Senator Florida has had in my 50 years in Florida. a true American. Despite what the damn “Tea Sipping” cowards think.
William C. "Bill" Armes
January 14, 2020 at 2:58 pm
That was a very good article. I am proud that Janelle Irwin Taylor took the time and effort to publish this. I was a proud supporter of Senator Nelson for many years. We certainly need more just like him in the political arena. Best Regards, William C. “Bill” Armes
Robert T Mounts
January 14, 2020 at 3:25 pm
As a classmate of Bill Nelson at the University of Florida in 1960-62, and a life-long friend, I agree with Diane’s comments above. He only lost the last election because his Republican opponent poured millions of his own money into the race. I am grateful for his many years of public service to the State of Florida.
joan kuperstein
January 14, 2020 at 5:09 pm
Bill Nelson is a true statesman. His integrity is missed greatly and we are left with two senators who march is lock-step with deplorable. dishonest president. Sad times reign in Florida.
Fred Lane
January 14, 2020 at 5:06 pm
I met Bill Nelson in September, 1960, in Gainesville, and I have followed his career ever since. Although I have been out-of-state for many years, I cannot understand why Floridians failed to return its distinguished representative to the United States Senate.
clark J Bundy
January 14, 2020 at 5:21 pm
Do not forget Bill Nelson was also the best insurance Commissioner the state of Florida has ever had he fought for the people.
Ruth
January 14, 2020 at 8:02 pm
My husband and I are sickened that Rick Scott is our Senator. We, too, couldn’t figure out how this con man had won, until years later, it was revealed that Russia had hacked into the Florida elections. But no fear, he won on the promise to put term limits on politicians. Hoping it’s his own!!
We miss Bill Nelson. Perhaps Bill Jr. will run in the near future?
Cathy DuPont
January 15, 2020 at 8:54 am
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to vote for Senator Nelson each time his name was on the ballot in St. Johns County. He represented integrity, commitment and caring for his fellow man. He is sadly and sorely missed even now.
Here’s hoping he is taking much needed time with his family. And a big thanks to Sen Nelson for representing all Florida residents throughout the years, regardless of party affiliation. He knows how good people can make a positive change in government because he is one.
Renee Harl
January 16, 2020 at 10:12 pm
Senator Nelson has been wonderful to my family. We are not part of the elite or wealthy who usually can help candidates running for office. My parents fell in love with Bill and mother and daddy walked door to door as part of Nelson’s Neighbors. They continued to work and support his campaigns for years. Daddy passed away and Bill Nelson came to speak at his funeral. He honored my father and our family by taking the time out of his busy schedule to show us great kindness. Mother is approaching 93 and still is one of Bill’s biggest fans. Thank you for your years of service and never forgetting the little people who began this career with you.
Sincerely,
Renee FOSHEE Harl
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