Arizona Democrats Back Mark Kelly for VP, Call on Kamala Harris to Choose Him

The Arizona Democratic Party has officially endorsed U.S. Senator Mark Kelly as the vice-presidential running mate for Kamala Harris, who is anticipated to become the Democratic nominee for president next month.

“Senator Kelly has been a champion for Arizonans,” stated Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano. “He has built a strong and diverse coalition dedicated to creating a better Arizona. Kelly is precisely the leader Arizonans want, and America needs.”

Kamala Harris, who entered the presidential race five days ago following President Joe Biden’s sudden decision to end his reelection campaign, is expected to announce her running mate soon. Harris has already secured sufficient delegate support to clinch the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.

Kelly is among five Democratic officials that Harris’s campaign is considering as potential vice-presidential picks. The shortlist includes North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and U.S. Navy captain, is currently serving his first full term in the Senate. He has represented Arizona since winning a special election in 2020 to complete the term of the late John McCain. Kelly then won re-election in 2022 to serve a full six-year term.

Kelly is married to former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, a survivor of a 2011 assassination attempt in Tucson. The attack resulted in six deaths and left Giffords with a head injury that required her to be in a medically induced coma during recovery.

In response to the attack, Giffords and Kelly founded the nonprofit Americans for Responsible Solutions, advocating for gun control measures. The organization has since been renamed Giffords.

In 2011, Kelly retired from NASA and the Navy to support Giffords during her recovery. He became the fourth retired astronaut to be elected to Congress.

Kelly positions himself as a moderate Democrat and has occasionally criticized President Joe Biden on border issues, despite aligning with Biden’s positions 94.5% of the time.