(NewsNation) — While Kamala Harris seems almost certain to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 election, the vice president spot appears less clear.
Among the many potential candidates is Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a man whose talents stretch far beyond the political arena. Other potential VP picks include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, among others.
Arizona is a key election battleground state, and Kelly’s potential selection could impact the race there.
According to Decision Desk HQ, Republican nominee Donald Trump has a 6.8-point lead over Harris in Arizona.
Who is Mark Kelly?
Mark Kelly is a 60-year-old native of New Jersey who has been in politics since 2019. He became Arizona senator in 2020 and, after winning reelection in 2022, will remain in the position until 2028 — that is, of course, unless he becomes vice president.
Kelly and his twin brother, Scott, were NASA astronauts. Prior to this, Kelly served in the Navy, where he was a pilot and eventually rose to captain.
Kelly’s relationship with Biden, Harris
While Kelly showed solidarity with the Biden-Harris ticket prior to the president stepping aside Sunday, he’s been willing to criticize Biden.
Kelly critiqued Biden’s approach to the southern border and has previously called it a “mess.” He has since tried to see a border security bill passed, but Republicans shot it down in February.
Harris and Kelly campaigned together last month, during which the latter called Trump a “convicted criminal,” according to AZ Central. Kelly praised Biden’s “humility” for stepping aside Sunday.
The vice president was complimentary of Kelly at their event in Las Vegas.
“[He] is just always fighting for the people of Nevada and using his lifelong dedication to our country in a way that is about service and uplifting so many people,” Harris said.
Following Biden’s announcement that he would no longer run, Kelly endorsed Harris.
“She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States,” he tweeted Sunday.
Kelly’s political views
Given his own personal experiences, Kelly is a strong proponent of gun control and reproductive rights. Kelly is in support of the Second Amendment and has proposed greater measures to curb violence.
The veteran is in favor of abortion rights and has often criticized the overturning of “Roe v. Wade,” saying in May that it has had “catastrophic consequences.” He has solely blamed Trump for limited access to abortion in Arizona.
He has been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s vice president pick, JD Vance, specifically with regard to his stances on abortion and Medicare.
Kelly has also opposed some of his Democratic colleagues, pushing for stronger border measures along Arizona.
Kelly has been a proponent of supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. Kelly told CNN in December, “We can’t ignore and abandon our ally in this time of need … you know who else is watching this?
“It’s the Chinese president, the leadership in Iran, the dictator in North Korea. They are watching what’s happening here, and if we fail, if we fail in this moment, I think history is not going to judge us well.”
Kelly’s controversies
In 2020, Kelly apologized for a joke made while speaking to Boy Scouts at an event in 2018.
Speaking about the impact being in space for one year had on his brother, Kelly said, “It’s gotten so bad that we recently had to release him back into the wild.
“He’s like halfway between an orangutan and a howler monkey. We’ve even changed his name to Rodrigo. He lives in the woods.”
Kelly later apologized and said that he “tried to bring some light to his [brother’s] difficult ordeal, but this comment does not do that, and I apologize and deeply regret it.”
Kelly’s personal life
Kelly’s wife is former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was infamously shot in the head while meeting constituents outside an Arizona grocery store in 2011. The pair have been married since 2007.
Kelly was previously married and has two daughters, Claudia and Claire, with his first wife.