John Hertzler has played as many as 10 different roles in the Star Trek franchise, most notably as Martok – a Klingon warrior known for skill and leadership on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
On Jan. 1, he will become one of five board members in Ulysses, a town of 5,000 people in Tompkins County near Ithaca.
"I hope to be able to accomplish something," Hertzler said of his new role.
Larry Nemecek, a Star Trek expert from Burbank, Ca., said he couldn't recall any other recurring Star Trek characters that have won elected office.