Middle Tennessee’s astronaut Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore appears to be making the leap from space to politics, as he is listed among the candidates to become the state’s next governor. Wilmore joins Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman John Rose among those seeking the Republican nomination to succeed current Republican Governor Bill Lee. The qualifying deadline is March 10 at noon.
Wilmore, along with fellow astronaut Suni Williams, returned to Earth in March 2025 following months of uncertainty during an unintended extended stay in space. Their space flight was planned to last 8 days.
He has a Master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, is a Tennessee Technological University graduate, and is a native of Mt. Juliet. Wilmore was a member, letterman, and team captain of the Tennessee Tech football team.
The retired Navy Captain joined the space program in 2000, after an illustrious career as a fighter pilot and test pilot, including numerous combat deployments.
Wilmore reportedly lives in Houston, Texas, with his family, which raises questions about whether he meets the residency requirements to run for governor of Tennessee. A candidate for governor must have resided in Tennessee for prior to the election. He would also have to meet the Republican Party standards for being a “bona fide” Republican, which would mean having voted in three of the last four statewide Republican primaries in Tennessee. In order to obtain a waiver, the entire statewide state executive committee of the Republican Party would have to approve the waiver.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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