Mark Kelly

Mark Kelly is an American politician, retired astronaut, and former U.S.

Mark Kelly is an American politician, retired astronaut, and former U.S. Navy combat pilot who has served as a U.S. senator from Arizona since 2020. A Democrat, he won a 2020 special election to fill the seat once held by John McCain and was re-elected in 2022. He is married to former U.S. representative Gabby Giffords and is the identical twin brother of astronaut Scott Kelly.

Early life and education

Mark Edward Kelly was born in Orange, New Jersey, in 1964. He studied at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and later earned graduate education at Texas A&M University.

Naval and NASA career

Before entering politics, Kelly served as a U.S. Navy combat pilot and later became a NASA astronaut. He flew on multiple Space Shuttle missions and became publicly known as one of the most experienced astronauts of his generation.

U.S. Senate career

Kelly entered electoral politics in 2019 and won Arizona’s 2020 special U.S. Senate election. He was re-elected in 2022 and remains Arizona’s junior senator.

Political profile

Kelly is a Democrat and has been associated with gun safety advocacy through work connected to Gabby Giffords, the organization founded with his wife. He has also been discussed in national politics as a possible future presidential or vice-presidential candidate.