Bill Nelson brings rocket fuel to support Bale Dalton’s congressional campaign launch

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson wants one of his former staffers to serve in Congress. The Melbourne Democrat is endorsing Bale Dalton’s bid to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Cory Mills.

“I am proud to endorse Bale Dalton for Congress because of his unyielding faith in America’s highest ideals. As a U.S. Navy aviator, Bale led sailors through multiple combat deployments — bound by duty, united by mission, and sustained by their love of country,” Nelson said.

Dalton launched his campaign for Congress earlier this week, spotlighting his military service. But he also noted that he served as Chief of Staff to Nelson when the former Senator served as NASA Administrator under President Joe Biden.

“At NASA, Bale brought that same can-do spirit as Chief of Staff, guiding some of our nation’s most daring missions. I’ve seen his deep belief that America has the responsibility to lead in an increasingly competitive world. Bale understands that a public office is a public trust and is not an occupation but an obligation to serve the people,” Nelson said.

“This is a moment for a new generation of leaders like Bale — proven public servants guided by American progress, not party politics. In Congress, Bale Dalton will serve as he always has: with integrity, humility, and a belief that America’s promise remains the world’s greatest cause — and is always worth fighting for.”

Dalton welcomed the support of his former boss, a three-term U.S. Senator who also represents much of northeast Florida in the U.S. House.

“My entire career has been about serving our country, and I know that Senator Nelson understands that we need a leader who is focused on getting things done for all Floridians,” Dalton said. “I’m very grateful to have his support.”

Dalton held the top staff post at NASA from January 2024 until January this year when President Donald Trump’s administration started. Before holding that post, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, a position he took on in May 2021 shortly after Nelson’s confirmation.

While Nelson served as Florida’s senior Senator, Dalton also worked as his Military Legislative Assistant from March 2016 to January of 2019, when Nelson left the Senate following a narrow defeat by now-U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.

Dalton now works as head of Space Growth at Vannevar Labs. He’s currently in a Democratic Primary against candidates who have been on the trail for months. Most notably, he faces lawyer Noah Widmann, who outraised Mills the last two quarters. Dalton also faces Jennifer Adams, the Democratic nominee against Mills in 2024, and fellow veteran Marialana Kinter, a nuclear manager.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has listed Mills, a two-term Republican incumbent, among its targets in the 2026 Midterms. Democrats see an opportunity thanks to a bevy of personal scandals that have landed Mills in headlines this year.