0:55
- ABC News
- December 2, 2020
Mark Kelly sworn in as Arizona's new senator
Kelly will fill the remainder of the late Sen. John McCain's term.
0:55
After Trump's attacks, Kelly has come to McCain's defense.
The president's continued dishonoring of Senator McCain's memory is disgraceful — it shouldn't be hard for an Arizona senator to say that. Those who serve understand the gravity and risk of going to war and don't take it lightly.
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) September 7, 2020
He pitched himself as an independent-minded candidate, who would work across the aisle in the Senate to get things done for Arizonans, and also campaigned on a stronger response to the coronavirus pandemic as Trump and allies like McSally downplayed its impact.
\"The legacy of this Arizona Senate seat, once held by Senator McCain, is one of independence,\" Kelly said in a statement following his swearing in. \"I am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats and using science, data and facts to craft policies that will help us overcome our greatest challenges, including tackling this virus and getting our economy back on track.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/mark-kelly-rt-201106_1604680400488_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Against the wishes of the president, Ducey signed off on the certification of the state's vote on Monday, telling reporters it will ensure Kelly is sworn into office \"as swiftly as possible,\" and despite Trump's unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in Arizona, McSally conceded to Kelly on Nov. 13.
It marks a new milestone in an already impressive career.
He served as a naval aviator and flew on dozens of missions, including some during Operation Desert Storm, and in 1996 he and his twin brother Scott were selected to be NASA shuttle pilots. During his five years with the agency, Kelly was a part of four missions to the International Space Station and totaled over 54 combined days in space.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/mark-kelly-martha-mcsally-election-01-ap-llr-201103_1604460971869_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Kelly retired from NASA shortly after Giffords was shot and the couple created a nonprofit gun control group, Americans for Responsible Solutions, which pushed states and congress for more common sense gun laws.
\"I learned a lot from being an astronaut. I learned a lot from being a pilot in the Navy, \" Kelly said in his campaign announcement video. \"But what I learned from my wife is how you use policy to improve people's lives.\"
ABC News' Trish Turner, Allie Pecorin, Meg Cunningham and Allie Yang contributed to this report.
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