Energy and Climate

Nuclear power

84 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: Nuclear plants make steady power without greenhouse gases, but they can be costly and slow to build and leave radioactive waste that must be stored safely.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

Whether and how to build new nuclear power plants, including how the federal government reviews their safety and how much it helps pay for them.

  1. Build no new reactors and rely on other energy sources
  2. Support new reactors under the current licensing process
  3. Speed up licensing further and expand federal support to build many new reactors

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Build no new reactors and rely on other energy sources (6)

  • Jeff Peckman CO Governor
    His campaign website says that as governor he would ban energy production from nuclear fission, while allowing nuclear fusion.1
  • Pro-Life ID Governor
    His campaign website says he opposes nuclear power because of radioactive waste.2
  • Moshe Y. Landman MD-6
    His campaign website says that nuclear power is an unwise and unnecessary path because of its legal, environmental and economic liabilities.3
  • Nancy Wallace MD-8
    Her campaign website says the United States should gradually decommission its nuclear power plants, phase out federal tax subsidies for the petroleum and nuclear industries, and require that all new electricity production be renewable.4
  • LaVeta Davenport MI-1
    The Green Party of Michigan 2026 platform text on her campaign website, which says she fully aligns with it, opposes new nuclear plants and calls for phasing out existing reactors rather than reopening them, citing the proposal to reopen the Palisades plant.5
  • Chris Henry OR Senate
    His platform opposes new nuclear power development and nuclear subsidies.6

Speed up licensing further and expand federal support to build many new reactors (2)

  • Jim Desmond CA-48
    His campaign website says he would preserve and modernize existing nuclear plants, develop small modular reactors and streamline regulations to encourage building new nuclear plants.7
  • Lily Tang Williams NH-2
    Her campaign website says she supports nuclear power, including protecting and expanding Seabrook Station and advancing small modular reactors, and says she would work to accelerate federal support for them and to streamline their reviews.8

Statements that don't match one option (76)

  • Mary Peltola AK Senate
    Her campaign website says she would work to expand energy tax credits so rural communities can invest in small modular nuclear reactors.9
  • Dave Bronson AK Governor
    His campaign website says he would work to bring small modular nuclear reactors to places such as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Fort Wainwright and rural communities, powering the surrounding areas.10
  • Rudy Recile CA-8
    His campaign website calls nuclear energy the cleanest and safest form of energy and suggests considering reopening closed California nuclear plants and building small modular reactors.11
  • Ro Khanna CA-17
    His campaign website says he supports nuclear energy as part of a clean energy future, including investment in fusion and small modular reactors.12
  • Ritesh Tandon CA-17
    Earlier policy pages still on his campaign website say energy policy should encourage nuclear power and call for federal programs to support research on safe nuclear technology and more efficient solar power.13,14
  • Bob Smith CA-24
    His campaign website says the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant should be kept open, with reliable baseload power put first.15
  • Mike Cargile CA-35
    His campaign website calls nuclear power the cleanest and most reliable source of electricity.16
  • Cristian Morales CA-43
    His campaign website's platform supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy and calls for expanding nuclear energy.17
  • Mike Levin CA-49
    His campaign website says federal efforts to promote more nuclear energy should account for the technology's full life span, including spent fuel, and describes his work to move spent nuclear fuel away from San Onofre.18
  • Scott Peters CA-50
    His campaign website lists a 2024 law he wrote that lowers licensing fees for next-generation nuclear reactors.19
  • Bob Chew CO Senate
    His campaign website says he supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that relies heavily on nuclear power, including investment in small modular reactors.20
  • Lauren Boebert CO-4
    Her campaign's Contract with Colorado supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy and adding new nuclear technology to the mix as a clean energy source.21
  • Christopher Mitchell CO-5
    His campaign website says he would vote for policies supporting new energy production, including small modular nuclear reactors and geothermal technology.22
  • Tim Bennett CO-7
    His campaign website supports expanding energy production from oil and natural gas, nuclear, hydro, geothermal and practical renewables, rather than mandates it says drive up costs.23
  • Eric Mulder CO Governor
    His campaign website says he would work with the legislature to clear a path for small modular nuclear reactors to become a large part of Colorado's energy supply, with construction starting before 2033.24,25
  • Luke Bronin CT-1
    His campaign website lists nuclear power among the clean energy sources it says the country needs to build quickly and at scale.26
  • Michael Ted Goldstein CT-4
    His campaign website supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy of natural gas, nuclear and renewables, and calls for increasing Connecticut's natural gas and nuclear power supply.27
  • Michael "Dr. Mike" Katz DE Senate
    His campaign website says he supports safe nuclear power with the right safeguards and the Advanced Act, which it says promotes efficient project permitting and advanced nuclear technology.28
  • Brian Lambert FL-14
    His campaign website says he supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy under which oil, natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy would be produced responsibly at home where it makes economic sense.29
  • Mark Davis FL-16
    His policy platform calls for heavy investment in renewable and cleaner energy sources, among them solar, wind, storage, advanced nuclear power and dependable grid infrastructure.30
  • Michael J. Quirk FL-17
    His campaign website says he supports a nuclear-first approach to always-on energy, with solar on rooftops and disturbed land before prime farmland.31
  • Casey Askar FL-22
    His campaign website says he supports unleashing domestic energy production and expanding oil, natural gas, nuclear and clean coal production.32
  • Scott Eckhard Jewett FL Governor
    His campaign website says Florida's energy future should include nuclear power.33
  • Joe Mitchell IA-2
    His campaign website says the nation should use every energy tool, listing natural gas, oil, nuclear, clean coal, hydro, solar and wind power.34
  • Jim Risch ID Senate
    His campaign website says he works to strengthen the country's nuclear energy infrastructure.35
  • Kaylee Peterson ID-1
    Her campaign website says she supports using solar, wind, geothermal and expanded clean nuclear power, but only with strict government oversight and regulations to protect local communities.36
  • Mike Simpson ID-2
    His campaign website's Green New Deal & Our Energy Future page (dated October 2019) says climate change cannot be seriously addressed without nuclear energy, and that he supports looking at all options, including renewable energy, nuclear energy and domestic oil production.37
  • Chris Getty IL-4
    His campaign website says America needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy in which nuclear energy, natural gas, oil, wind, solar and hydroelectric power all have a role.38
  • Bill Foster IL-11
    His campaign website says nuclear power can be made safe, that the costs of nuclear power compared with other low-carbon sources need to be better understood, and that in the longer term the country should press ahead with advanced technologies such as small modular reactors and fusion.39
  • Nikki Budzinski IL-13
    Her campaign website says she supports an all-of-the-above energy approach, including accelerating the deployment of clean energy sources such as nuclear, wind and solar alongside transition fuels such as natural gas.40
  • Jeff Wilson IL-13
    His campaign website says he will focus on expanding nuclear energy, oil and natural gas to power towns and lower costs.41
  • Collin Corbett IL Governor
    His campaign website says he would expand and speed up the state's effort to build new nuclear power plants.42
  • Kelly Thompson IN-3
    Her campaign website says her energy program would invest in mini nuclear plants in places where solar is not feasible, such as mountainous areas.43
  • John "Drew" Williams KY-1
    His campaign website proposes expanding nuclear power by modernizing existing facilities and advancing Generation IV reactors through competitive research grants and milestone-based financing, with community benefit programs and independent safety oversight.44
  • Tia LeBrun LA-3
    Her campaign website's Policy Plans page lists advanced nuclear research and deployment among the energy sources it supports.45
  • Larry Davis III LA-6
    His campaign website's Policies page lists support for nuclear advancement among his energy goals.46
  • John Deaton MA Senate
    His campaign website says he supports a serious recommitment to nuclear power, including small modular reactors, alongside solar, wind, geothermal and hydro power.47
  • Micah Quinney Jones MA-6
    His campaign website's opportunity plan says to modernize nuclear permitting and accelerate next-generation nuclear power.48
  • Michael Roger Minogue MA Governor
    His campaign website says he would invest in natural gas pipelines and evaluate new modular nuclear energy options to lower energy costs.49
  • Dan Cox MD Governor
    His campaign website says he would bring closed power plants back online and pursue energy sources such as small modular nuclear reactors and liquefied natural gas.50,51
  • Robin Ficker MD-6
    His campaign website lists not expanding the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant among its complaints about Maryland's political leaders in Washington, alongside preventing American energy independence and buying more energy from abroad.52
  • Ronald C. Russell ME-1
    His campaign website lists nuclear power, along with wind, hydropower and solar, among the energy sources that should be embraced where they are cost-effective and make sense.53
  • Robert B. Charles ME Governor
    His energy plan says he would allow competition among all efficient power producers, including natural gas, hydro and nuclear, and promote small modular nuclear reactors along with renewables and fossil fuels.54
  • Terri DeBoer MI-3
    Her campaign website says she supports expanding clean, dependable nuclear energy production as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy.55
  • Sean McCann MI-4
    His campaign website says solar, wind and nuclear energy in Michigan will support U.S. energy independence, reduce pollution and create jobs, and that in the Michigan Senate he supported funding to help reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant.56
  • Jim Bronke MI-5
    His campaign website says he will support solar, wind and nuclear power improvements as alternatives that reduce carbon dioxide.57
  • Thomas J. Smith MI-8
    His campaign website says he supports American energy independence through oil, gas and nuclear power and opposes green mandates, which it says destroy jobs.58
  • Chris Dardzinski MI-13
    His campaign website says America should watch how France uses nuclear power and model it for new power plant upgrades.59
  • Lydia Christensen MI Senate
    Her campaign website says she supports faster nuclear licensing without cutting safety, and equal tax treatment for every energy source.60
  • Lisa Demuth MN Governor
    Her campaign website says she would repeal Minnesota's longstanding ban on nuclear energy.61
  • Tom Schmitz MO-1
    His campaign website says the government should end its restrictions on developing and generating nuclear power, which it describes as a source of electricity with almost no carbon emissions that can help address climate change.62,63
  • Jordan Herrera MO-4
    His campaign website lists investment in small modular reactors and next-generation nuclear research with strong safety standards, and says he particularly supports expanding advanced nuclear energy.64
  • Ron Eller MS-2
    His campaign website says the country needs all forms of energy, listing nuclear along with clean coal, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, hydrogen, wind and solar.65
  • Michael D Eisenhauer MT-2
    His Voter Contract page lists nuclear energy among the sources in an all-of-the-above energy policy and says he will support developing small modular nuclear reactors, and his Issues page says he will work in a bipartisan way to invest federally in small modular reactors and foster a growing nuclear power industry.66,67
  • Shannon W. Bray NC Senate
    His campaign website supports nuclear and next-generation energy, and favors innovation over mandates.68
  • Pat Harrigan NC-10
    His campaign website lists developing nuclear energy among the sources of power it says the country should pursue.69
  • Helene Neville ND-AL
    Her campaign website's political platform lists nuclear transparency and safety among its agriculture, energy and rural strength items.70
  • Justin Murphy NJ Senate
    His campaign website says he strongly supports expanding nuclear power in the U.S.71
  • Jeff Van Drew NJ-2
    The page says he is working with the Trump administration to lower energy prices by expanding the use of nuclear power, including power that could be generated in South Jersey.72
  • Ramon Mora Jr. NJ-2
    The Reduce Electric Bills page says building out the grid with solar, wind, water and nuclear options could noticeably lower electric bills.73
  • Ryan Michael Kelly NJ-3
    His campaign website says he supports substantial investment in clean energy, with responsible nuclear power among the sources.74
  • Rebecca Bennett NJ-7
    Her energy costs policy one-pager says the country should invest in nuclear power, drawing on Navy experience, by expanding existing plants and investing in traditional and small modular reactors, with sustained federal investment rather than higher costs for ratepayers.75
  • Da'Shone Hughey NJ-8
    His Hughey Doctrine page, which sets out a foreign policy and national security framework, says America should keep building domestic energy production and put investment into nuclear power, renewable energy, energy storage and an updated electric grid.76
  • Joe Hathaway NJ-11
    His campaign platform says his energy approach is to use every source, listing nuclear power, natural gas, solar and wind turbines on land.77
  • Larry E Marker NM Senate
    His campaign website calls for an all-of-the-above energy approach that would make New Mexico a leader in oil, gas, hydrogen and nuclear energy.78,79
  • Martin Zamora NM-3
    His campaign website lists promoting energy jobs, including nuclear power as well as oil, gas and solar, among its jobs priorities.80
  • Greggory D Hull NM Governor
    His campaign website supports adding small modular reactors and other advanced nuclear technologies to New Mexico's long-term energy planning.81
  • Afzal "Bobby" Khan NV-1
    His campaign website says he supports nuclear energy, along with updating nuclear rules, simplifying permitting and putting money into newer nuclear technology.82,83
  • Raymond T McKay RI Senate
    His campaign website says he supports American energy independence and wants members of both parties to work together for the long-term strength of the nuclear and fossil fuel industries, while also using green energy efficiently.84
  • Andrew Gerena TN Senate
    His campaign website calls for building modern nuclear and renewable power plants.85
  • David Hatley TN Governor
    His campaign website says he would work to make Tennessee a center for designing, building and staffing small modular nuclear reactors.86
  • Lauren Pinkston TN Governor
    Her campaign website supports a move toward more nuclear power and renewable energy.87
  • Bert Mizusawa VA Senate
    His campaign website says he supports bringing new nuclear power online to lower household energy costs.88
  • Amanda Janoo VT Governor
    Her campaign website says she would oppose new nuclear power infrastructure proposed to supply AI data centers.89
  • Dean Roy VT Governor
    His campaign website says he supports allowing a nuclear power plant to be built in Vermont.90
  • Tom Tiffany WI Governor
    His campaign website says he would embrace next-generation nuclear energy and stop shutting down power plants that provide steady baseload power.91