Senator Mark Kelly​

Arizona​

Race Ratings
Cook Political Report -Toss Up Sabato Crystal Ball-Toss Up
 

EXPERIENCE

Sen. Kelly, son of two police officers, spent 25 years in the Navy and at NASA. He attended public schools from elementary school through the Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. As a naval aviator Kelly made two deployments to the First Gulf War and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. He was selected as an astronaut in 1966 and flew his first of four space missions in 2001. Sen. Kelly was the winner of the 2020 special election and must run again in 2022. Kelly is married to gun control advocate former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who was shot and seriously injured by gun violence in 2011.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS SENATOR

• Introduced 21 bipartisan bills and amendments and cosponsored 169 pieces of bipartisan legislation.

• Passed COVID-19 relief that kept small businesses and families afloat.

• Returned more than $10 million and closed more than 4,000 cases for Arizonans seeking help from the federal government.

• Negotiated landmark deals to lower the price of prescription drugs and increase microchip manufacturing.

• Shaped and passed a bipartisan infrastructure law.

SELECTED ENDORSEMENTS

• 314 Action

• AAPI Victory Fund

• Arizona State AFL-CIO

• Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

• Demand Universal Healthcare

• Democratic Majority for Israel

• Democrats Work for America

• End Citizens United

• Everytown for Gun Safety

• Human Rights Campaign

• J Street PAC

• League of Conservation Voters

• MoveOn.org Political Action

• NARAL Pro-Choice America

• National Association of Social Workers

• National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

• National Education Association

• National Organization for Women

• NRDC Action Fund

• Planned Parenthood Action Fund

• Progressive Turnout Project

• Serve America PAC

• Sierra Club

• United Auto Workers

• United Farm Workers of America

• Veterans and Military Families for Progress

• Voter Protection Project

• VoteVets

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POLITICS IN ARIZONA

In 2020, Mark Kelly defeated then-Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) to finish out the late John McCain’s term. Kelly was one of 2020’s top fundraisers, raking in just short of $100 million for the cycle. Despite the high level of spending, the final margin was a thin 51-49 over his opponent.

In the 2020 presidential race, Arizona was the closest state in the country, by raw vote margin—Biden claimed it by 10,457 votes (+.3%) his narrowest victory margin. McSally, who was appointed to the seat and had never won a statewide election was not a particularly strong opponent. This seat  is a prime target for Republicans going into 2022.

There are multiple Republican candidates who have declared their candidacy. The strongest and most likely are Attorney General Mark Brnovich and venture capitalist Blake Masters. AG Brnovich has the advantage of having previously won elections statewide. Masters has the backing of his boss, conservative billionaire Peter Thiel who has committed $10 million to the “Saving Arizona PAC” which will support Masters with independent expenditures.  This is certain to again be one of the most expensive races.​

COMMITTEES

Member, Committee on Armed Services

Member, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Member, Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee

Member, Joint Economic Committee

Member, Special Committee on Aging

Member, Subcommittee on Airland

Member, Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight

Chair, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

Member, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife

Member, Subcommittee on National Parks

Member, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining

Member, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

Member, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Member, Subcommittee on Water and Power