Harrison Schmitt

A scientist-turned-politician-turned-businessman, Harrison Schmitt has had a varied life experience. He grew up in Silver City, New Mexico, where he quickly showed high intelligence. In college, he earned a Bachelor degree in Science from the California Institute of Technology and subsequently a Master in Geology from Harvard University. Following graduation, he worked at the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology, and helped develop the geological field techniques that would later be used by NASA astronauts on the Moon. His work impressed NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration), who hired him in 1965, and was in charge of examining the lunar soil and rock samples that the astronauts returned from their missions. In 1970, he was chosen to be on the flight crew of a landing on the Moon, and in 1971 he was on the crew of Appollo 17. After Apollo 17 returned to Earth, Schmitt played an active role in documenting the Apollo geologic results and also took on the task of organizing NASA's Energy Program Office. In 1975, he left NASA and friends began to ask him about seeking public office. In 1976, he was persuaded be the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate against Senator Joseph Montoya. It was a risky move, as New Mexico voted Democratic in most elections. But Montoya was hurt by a financial scandal, and Schmitt was a good speaker and campaigner, and won by a surprisingly wide margin. In the Senate, Schmitt usually voted a conservative line, and remained active in support of the space program and technological development. He enthusiastically supported Ronald Reagan for President. But in 1982, the nation was in a deep recession, and Schmitt was perceived as being indifferent to New Mexico's economic problems. He was challenged by then-state Attorney General Jeff Bingaman, and near the end of the campaign, he ran negative ads against Bingaman which were based on inaccurate information. They backfired and Bingaman won by 54% to 46%. After the election, Schmitt decided to leave public life behind for good and entered the corporate world. He was made an honorary fellow for the Geological Society of America and has occasionally written articles on public policy issues.