Former astronaut Terry Virits announced campaign plans to unseat Sen. John Cornyn

Terry Virts, a former astronaut known for his travels in space, officially announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas as a Democrat.

In a video posted on his personal X account, Virts highlighted his military background by recalling his experience flying combat missions over Iran at a young age, while also emphasizing his transition from a distinguished career in space to the political arena, where he aims to bring his unique perspective and experiences to the Senate.

His announcement marks the beginning of his journey to represent the Lone Star State, targeting the seat currently held by Republican Senator John Cornyn.

In his campaign video, Virts reflected on his background as an astronaut, stating, “After every mission, we debrief—no excuses, just the truth. After the 2024 election disaster, Washington Democratic leadership skipped the debrief.” He criticized the Republican Party, calling its members “dishonest and money-hungry,” and declared, “Trump’s chaos must be stopped,” while addressing MAGA policies and Trump’s presidential run.

The former astronaut even took shots at Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has launched a Republican bid for the Senate, but did not mention Cornyn, the incumbent GOP senator running for a fifth term and polling well behind Paxton.

Nick Puglia, a spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, responded to Virts’ entry by stating that Democrats are “wildly out of touch with the needs of Texas families, and Republicans will fight to defeat whoever they nominate,” according to the Texas Tribune. Puglia also affirmed the NRSC’s support for Cornyn amid his primary battle with Paxton.

Other Democrats, also via the Tribune, included former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, and state Rep. James Talarico, are eyeing their own runs for the seat, though none have formally announced their candidacies.