[THREAD] With #ElectionDay less than 2 weeks away, we're thrilled to share the results of our 2020 State Science Initiative developed w our wonderful partner, @scipolnetwork! #StateScienceQs 1/

This year, coalitions of motivated citizens & incredible local & national science organizations across the US worked together forming Science Debate teams. They developed science policy questionnaires for their candidates focused on issues critical to each state & the nation. 2/

Topics ranged from grappling with #COVID19 to #ClimateChange. Teams asked candidates about policy priorities related to this year's devastating #wildfires & the impacts of flooding on agriculture & the economy across the Midwest. 3/

We are inspired by the enormous network of teams in states all across the U.S. & encourage you to visit the Science Debate website & explore the questions & responses on issues that will affect our communities over the coming decades. http://www.sciencedebate.org  4/

In this inaugural year, the State Science Initiative began as a pilot program in 4 states & expanded quickly w the enthusiasm of our dynamic teams to include nearly 20! Each developed questions for candidates w input from across the region about interests & policy priorities. 5/

Teams were able to share their efforts in the media & participate in events about why science policy matters. https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/bench-talk-science-policies-of-kentucky-candidates-dealing-with-science-denialism-oct-12-2020?in=wfmp-forward-radio/sets/bench-talk-the-week-in-science#t=0:00

Some groups even extended their efforts to include local & state races. 6/

Many responses are now available w more added daily. If you're in #Arizona #California #Colorado #Georgia #Illinois #Iowa #Kentucky #Maryland #Massachusetts #Michigan #Missouri #NewYork #NorthCarolina #Texas or #Virginia, find out where candidates stand http://www.sciencedebate.org  7/

Democracy works best when voters are informed & we are so proud of these groups & their hard work getting 2020 candidates on record on science policy!

Tremendous thanks to everyone who participated & we look forward to expanding this initiative together in 2022! /8

- @Sheril_